On Thursday morning, four IDF soldiers were killed and three others wounded in a roadside bomb attack. Hours later, the Israel Defense Forces released the names of the fallen:
- Maj. Omri Chai Ben Moshe, 26, from Tzafria
- Lt. Eran Shelem, 23, from Ramat Yohanan
- Lt. Eitan Avner Ben Itzhak, 22, from Har Bracha
- Lt. Ron Arieli, 20, from Hadera
Their deaths bring the total number of Israelis killed in the current ground offensive in Gaza and related operations to 469, a number which includes police officers and civilian contractors working with the Defence Ministry.
This sobering news is a painful reminder of the high cost Israel is paying to defend her people against Hamas and other terror groups. Each soldier was someone’s son, friend, brother, or fiancé. As Christians who love Israel, we are called to grieve with those who grieve and lift up our prayers before the God of Israel, who “neither slumbers nor sleeps” (Psalm 121:4).
How we can pray
- For the families of the fallen soldiers – that the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3–4) would hold them close in this time of unimaginable grief, and that they would experience His nearness in their mourning.
- For the wounded soldiers – that healing would come swiftly to their bodies, and peace to their minds and spirits.
- For the IDF on the ground – that God would grant supernatural protection, wisdom, and courage to every soldier serving in Rafah and throughout Gaza.
- For Israel’s leaders – that they would act with clarity and discernment in these difficult days, guided by truth and justice.
At moments like this, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the weight of sorrow. Yet Scripture calls us to lift our eyes to the Lord, our shield and defender. As the prophet Isaiah wrote: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1).
