Two More Hostages Confirmed Dead

Israel announced yesterday the deaths of two more hostages, Alexander Dancyg, 75, and Yagev Buchshtab, 35, bringing the total up to 44 dead among the remaining 116 hostages held by Hamas. The two men, held together in the same location in Khan Younis, likely died several months ago, during an IDF offensive in that area. (TOI, July 22)

The cause of their deaths is still under investigation. In March, Hamas claimed Yagev died because of a lack of food and medication and Alexander died by Israeli fire, but the terrorists often release false reports as a method of psychological warfare.

Yagev, a musician and soundman who builds electric guitars, was taken from Kibbutz Nirim together with his wife, Rimon Kirsht Buchstab, who was released from captivity November 28. The couple resided together throughout Rimon’s captivity.

Born in Poland, Alexander was a historian and a Holocaust educator, abducted by Hamas on October 7 from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Hamas kidnapped 251 people during the October 7 attack. In addition to the remaining 116 hostages, they continue to hold the bodies of two soldiers since 2014 and two Israeli civilians who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015.

Let’s continue praying for the remaining hostages by name, for soldiers in their attempts to free them, and for Christians and Gazans caught up in the crossfire and facing acute food insecurity.

Both Israel and Gaza are more than 97% unreached with the gospel of Christ, which means those who have died on both sides, including the hostages, have likely never heard the good news that brings salvation.

Visit our Israel-Gaza page to read more and PRAY for God’s purposes in the midst of so much terror and death:

Pray for Israel and Gaza in These Trying Times

Lord, please comfort those who mourn. Heal the minds and hearts of those who survived the terrible attacks on October 7, and please bring a quick and right solution to end this war. Convict those on both sides of their sin and their need for salvation. Be a Shield around the hostages still held by Hamas. Keep them from harm and make the way for their speedy rescue/escape. Be near to them and show them Your glory. Let them feel Your presence, hear Your voice, receive Your comfort and healing. We ask You especially for the women still believed in custody. Protect them from rape and other abuse. Speak to the guards around them, convicting their hearts of evils Hamas has committed and pressing within them the need to make things right. You’ve done it before, Lord; please do it again. Put into place those who will open the way for and even facilitate the safe escape of the remaining hostages in every location where they are held. Point Israeli soldiers to where the they are, and give them Your instructions for safely freeing them and getting them home. Protect the innocent and those who seek to protect, rescue and help them. Meet every terrorist, every hostage, every Israeli, every Palestinian in their dreams and talk to them throughout the day. Make a way for Scripture to reach them. Plant truth in their minds and hearts, verses that will press deep within them a hunger for something more than hatred and war. Lift the veil from their eyes so they will see Jesus as He truly is, the one and only Savior who rescues them from the evil that has bound them and gives them eternal life. Clearly present to them the Truth that sets them free before it’s too late, Lord. Use this terrible war to bring about a church planting movement throughout Gaza, Israel and beyond, with thousands turning to Christ. Yes, Lord, awaken every heart to You. Make the way for every person to hear and clearly understand Your plan for their salvation. Show them that You, Jesus, are the only Way. You are Life that extinguishes death, Love that chases out fear, Peace that overcomes chaos, Truth that conquers lies…. Show up in the life of each person caught up in the middle of this war, answering their questions and pointing them to You. Hear them when they cry. Answer them like only You can. Perform miracles and signs and wonders so they will know it is You, and turn them from the path of evil to Your paths of love and life. Push back the enemy, Lord. Overcome the darkness now with so much Light, satan and all who serve him will flee. Set up Your throne in every heart. In the midst of so much terror, send every person running into Your arms. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.

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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 giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:

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