17 More Hostages Released

After a delay of many hours and several violations of their agreement with Israel, Hamas at last released 17 hostages late Saturday night. In exchange, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.

Among the freed hostages were 13 Israeli women, teens and children, as well as four Thai nationals. That is three fewer foreigners than agreed upon. In addition, Hila Rotem (f, 13) was released without her mother Raaya, violating the agreement that mothers and children not be separated. The terrorist organization released no information on Raaya’s well-being or whereabouts. Teens Noam and Alma Or were also released without their father, Dror. Their mother, Yonat, was killed in the October 7 attack.

See tomorrow’s post for the details on the third group of hostages released yesterday, including Alma Avraham, who is in critical condition.

To pray by name for hostages who have been released, as well as those still held captive by Hamas, refer to our Israel-Gaza page:

Pray for Hostages by Name

Lord, we thank You for this answer to prayer. Please provide for these who have been freed on both sides the counseling and medical care they need. We especially ask You, Jesus, to meet them in powerful ways and draw them to Yourself. Bring Christians into their path to love them and share with them the good news that brings peace. For only You can bring them true healing and freedom from the trauma of what they have witnessed and endured.

Father, please have mercy on the other hostages still in need of rescue. We ask You for angel armies to surround and protect every hostage. Meet them in this time of terror in powerful ways. Wrap Your arms around them and let them feel You near. When they cry out to You, answer them with Jesus. Speak to them clearly and show them Your salvation. Meet them in their dreams. Comfort those who are afraid. Heal those who are wounded. Provide for them water, food, blankets and other needed provisions. And keep them safe from gunfire and air strikes. Arrange for hostages to communicate with their families. Make a way for them to be quickly and safely released and reunited. Use Christians among the hostages to encourage and share Your love. Shine so brightly there in the darkness that the tunnels light up when You speak. Send Your angel armies marching through the tunnels, scaring terrorists and bringing them to their knees in fear of the Lord. Show every Hamas militant Your glory. Visit them in their dreams, Jesus, night after night to tell them that all their murders, rapes, kidnappings and abuses are an abomination to You. Strike them with such revulsion over their sin and fear of the You that they drop their weapons of hatred and murder, repent and surrender to You, O God of Love. Then show them the one and only Way to salvation, Jesus. Block their every plan and make them wish they had never attacked, harmed, raped, killed or taken hostages. Give them a hunger so desperate they look for You with all their hearts and find You. Break their connection to the demons that control them. Open their ears to hear You and their eyes to see You.

For Israelis grieving the deaths of their loved ones and worrying about those they know who are among the hostages, we ask you, Lord, to please surround them with Christians who will love them in ways they can clearly feel. Open up conversations to show them the way to salvation, and then reach into those grieving hearts and draw them up into Your arms to save them. O Father, in the midst of such terrible circumstances of war and death and horrors, please be Israel’s Rock. When each Israeli cries out to You, answer them with their longed for Messiah. Show them Jesus is the One they’ve been looking for. In the midst of so much tragedy and death, bring forth a church planting movement all across Israel and Jewish communities throughout the world. Rescue them from their enemies in such a way they will know it is You and praise Your name forever. Guard Israel’s borders and block militants bent on evil from entering. Hide those who are in danger so the enemy cannot find them. Give those in leadership wisdom at every turn to follow Your guidance, free their people, and bring home those who were taken captive. Awaken Israel, awaken Gaza, awaken the Muslim nations, awaken the whole world to You, O God. Roar, Lion of Judah, and show us Your glory.

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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:

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