Israel: Palestinians from Syria plan terrorism
23 Jun 2023
Arab reports indicate a Palestinian terror group based in Syria with ties to Iran and Hezbollah is actively preparing for a new series of attacks inside Israel. Speaking from Syria, Fadi Malach, commander of the Galilean Wolves, said, ‘We are in the midst of preparations for a series of additional operations inside Israel, despite Israel’s warning to Hezbollah, who might go on another adventure.’ Malach also said that his group was responsible for a roadside bombing at the Megiddo Junction in northern Israel on 13 March, which injured an Israeli motorist. The man who planted the bomb was subsequently killed by Israeli soldiers while driving back towards the Lebanese border. Explosives and a weapon were found in the vehicle, and the terrorist wore a suicide bomb belt. Malach said Galilean Wolves have been active since 2004, in an effort to liberate Galilee in the first stage, and they are not co-opted by Iran.
Africa: rivers of Christian blood
23 Jun 2023
The 16 June murder of 45 Christian schoolchildren is the latest anti-Christian atrocity committed by ADF. They were hacked to death, shot, or burned alive. Others were abducted. ADF pledges loyalty to IS and has slaughtered hundreds of Christians in north-eastern DRC. Nigeria’s Middle Belt has seen over 1,500 Christians killed in the last 18 months. In May IS released a video of 20 Nigerian Christians being murdered. Islamic State Mozambique (ISM) have beheaded thousands of Christians on social media. ISM celebrates building its Islamic province ‘on heaps of Christian corpses and rivers of their blood’. A Middle East Media Research Institute report stated that IS and al-Qaeda, having been beaten back from Middle East strongholds, have found new pastures for genocide in Africa. They follow the same tactics of mass killings, execution-style beheadings, and burning churches, celebrated in slickly produced publications and social media campaigns designed to entice the next generation of bloodthirsty Islamist terrorists.
Libya: progress towards democratic elections?
23 Jun 2023
Key issues remain strongly contested despite draft laws agreed in Morocco by Libya’s rival legislative bodies. Libya has been fraught with conflict for more than a decade since Muammar Gaddafi’s removal during the Arab Spring, prompting rival factions to compete for power. By 2015 two legislative bodies had formed and struggles over Libya’s rule and wealth have continued since then. A 6+6 committee drawn from Libya’s two rival legislative bodies – the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) and the Tripoli-based High Council of State (HCS) – agreed on 6 June on draft laws for presidential and parliamentary elections, inching forward in the country’s current political crisis. The UN, while welcoming progress, says key issues remain strongly contested, blocking the road to a final settlement and harbouring the potential to spark a new crisis in the divided country. The democratic process needs to reach an agreement on the eligibility criteria for presidential candidates.
On 22 June, Rear Admiral Mauger of the US coastguard service confirmed that five parts of the Titan submersible vessel had been found. The debris indicated that the Titan had suffered a ‘catastrophic implosion’. It had gone missing on 18 June after setting off to explore the wreck of the Titanic. Despite great rescue efforts, hope had been fading of finding it and its five occupants, who had each paid $250,000 for the trip. Earlier, the vessel operator OceanGate said: ‘Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time.’ However, some commentators queried the wisdom of using an unlicensed vessel for such a dangerous trip.
Australia: babies born alive after abortion
23 Jun 2023
Every week in Australia, babies survive abortions and are left to die without medical assistance or even pain relief because it has been decided by adults that they do not deserve to live. In response to this, three senators have presented a bill to parliament calling for legal protections to ensure that babies born alive after a termination procedure are given the same medical treatment and pain relief as other babies born at the same gestational age and clinical condition. The Australian Christian Lobby has drafted an email to the prime minister and the federal senate, requesting their support for this bill and are encouraging people to add their name to the document.
Orphanage children rescued from Khartoum
16 Jun 2023
Khartoum’s daily fighting between the military and Rapid Support Forces started in April. The Mygoma orphanage is in the heart of the fighting, making it too dangerous for doctors to visit any sick children. Power and water cuts, and 43C temperatures, have caused 67 children to die of starvation, dehydration, and infections. Transporting 400 children and babies was a huge logistical challenge, but there was no alternative. A handful of locals organised an evacuation in minibuses. On the front of the first minibus was a bedsheet with a message to the militias - ‘There are children on board’.
Missing children found after forty days
16 Jun 2023
Lesly, aged 13, Soleiny 9, Tien 4, and baby Cristin went missing following a plane crash which killed their mother and other adults. They were found alive after forty days, wandering in the Amazon. Colombia’s president said the children had demonstrated an example of ‘total survival that will be remembered in history’. Authorities located them after hearing Tien crying. They were very weak and gaunt when flown by air ambulance to Bogota. ‘We never stopped looking for them until the miracle came’, tweeted the Colombian defence ministry. Their grandfather said, ‘The hope of finding them kept us alive. When we found them we felt joy and grateful to God.’
Greece / Macedonia: prayer on the border
16 Jun 2023
Thirty people prayed for reconciliation at the border between Greece and North Macedonia, asking God to forgive the past. Their flags flew side by side, with hands and hearts united to be one. Everyone declared forgiveness for the blood shed on the land throughout history. Then they declared blessings and brotherhood on each other’s nations and governments. They moved to a North Macedonian church to meet others and worship in Macedonian and in Greek. Then the eldest pastors from both countries washed each other’s feet; flags (pride) were laid before the cross; and pastors from both nations served the Lord’s Supper. They believe the wall of hostility was broken and they are one in the body and blood of Christ, sons and daughters of God.