Urgent Prayer Request - Israel readies itself for Islamic attacks today.

It is a comfort to know that we are in day three of three weeks of prayer and fasting for Israel, with as many as 5,000,000 believers participating, as Israel is bracing itself in light of threats coming from Gaza.

Last night, Israel targeted and killed three senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad members:

• Jihad Ghanem, a top official in the group’s military council

• Khalil Bahtini, who commander of Islamic Jihad in northern Gaza

• Tareq Izzeldeen, the group's intermediary between its Gaza and West Bank members

Ten others were killed in the strike, mostly family members of the terrorists. “Israel's Home Front command ordered the closure of schools, beaches and highways in cities and towns in southern Israel, and limited public gatherings.”

The three men targeted were responsible for last week’s rocket attack on Israel. Some 100 rockets targeted Israel’s southern cities. Israel’s response was considered by some to be weak.

Israel is preparing for a “prolonged conflict,” as “Islamic Jihad vows to avenge slain leaders.” The UN condemned the killing of civilians—but this is what can happen when terrorists live with their families, amongst civilians. They put a target on themselves and those around by planning and carrying out terrorist attacks. When Hamas and Islamic Jihad shoot rockets at population centers they are hoping and praying for maximum fatalities. Israel on the other hand does everything possible to limit casualties to only the criminals. But sadly, sometimes, as in all military conflicts, innocent people are hurt or killed.

President Isaac Herzog applauded the efforts of the IDF and the Gaza operation, while insisting that Israeli obey the safety instructions coming from the Home Front command.

“I congratulate the IDF and the security forces on the comprehensive and intensive operations to foil terror and defend the State of Israel,” the President said. “We face many security challenges that oblige us to act responsibly and to respond to instructions from the Home Front. All of us, in our hearts and minds, are with the IDF, the security forces, and the residents of the south.”

We just happen to be in the south right now, in Ashkelon, where we celebrated Lag B’omer with Elana’s family. Ashkelon is the closest large city to Gaza, about 10 kilometers north. It is strange to be so close to a warzone.

Please pray for Israel and the people of Gaza.

• Pray for God to intervene.

• Pray for our political and military leaders to have wisdom.

• Pray against any civilian casualties or injuries in both Israel and Gaza.

• Pray that somehow God will use this to bring salvation to Israel and the Arab nations.

• Pray for supernatural protection.