Operation Tarshish weekly report ending Aug. 29, 2025

 

OT Weekly Update for Week Ending Friday, August 29th, 2025  Index 1. Waves of hope - without setting foot in Israel, I'm more connected than ever 2. Cyprus president keeps getting called out, lately for ties to Israel 3. Come and see, go and tell - The power of a trip to Israel 4. Buried beneath Jerusalem - a massive First Temple dam 5. Too busy studying Talmud to think about God 6. $1 billion Oron spy plane provides vital strategic advantage 7. Beauty for Ashes   1. Waves of hope - Even without setting foot in Israel, I feel more connected to it than ever HaGal Sheli isn’t just about surfing. It’s a nonprofit that uses the ocean as a space for healing and growth. With Jewish teens from across San Diego, we meet weekly to surf, to talk, to process. Out there in the water, I’ve faced more than waves – I’ve faced fear, frustration, and the heavy feeling of not belonging. In a time when antisemitism is rising, those feelings are sharper than ever. Eyal Amsalem, Jerusalem Post, August 25, 2025   For more further reading click > https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-865122   He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 9:8 - 10 BACK TO TOP 2. Cyprus president keeps getting called out, lately for ties to Israel President Nikos Christodoulides faces attacks from rivals who have been unable to move on from their electoral defeat in 2023. Harry Theocharous, JNS, August 25, 2025   For more further reading click > https://www.jns.org/cyprus-president-keeps-getting-called-out-lately-for-ties-to-israel/   "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. John 15:18 BACK TO TOP 3. Come and see, go and tell - The power of a trip to Israel Today, almost 700 days later, I continue to grieve. Fifty hostages remain in Hamas’s terror tunnels. Twelve Druze children from Majdal Shams were murdered by Hezbollah. By Grace Keathly, Jerusalem Post, August 26, 2025   For more further reading click > https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-865252 When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed. She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. 2 Chronicles 9:3 - 6 BACK TO TOP 4. Buried beneath Jerusalem - a massive First Temple dam and the ancient climate crisis that sparked it A mystery of ancient engineering revealed - was this the answer to Judah’s worst drought? “This is one of the most impressive and significant remains in Jerusalem from the First Temple period, which has been preserved at an exceptional level,” said IAA director Eli Escusido. Jerusalem Post Staff, August 26, 2025   For more further reading click > https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-865326   If He withholds the waters, they dry up; If He sends them out, they overwhelm the earth. Job 12:15 BACK TO TOP 5. Too busy studying Talmud to think about God Prompting Jewish students to think about God was the thought of one Jewish educational organization which set out to question Jewish middle and high school students as to how much time they devoted each day to thinking and talking about God. Cookie Schwaeber-Issan | All Israel News, August 22, 2025   For more further reading click > https://allisraelnews.com/blog/too-busy-studying-talmud-to-think-about-god   But if I say, "I will not mention His word or speak anymore in His name," His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9 BACK TO TOP 6. $1 billion Oron spy plane provides vital strategic advantage Oron is Israel's newest surveillance aircraft, an extraordinary product of cooperation between the MAFAT, the Israel Aerospace Industries, and the IDF. By Dean Shmuel Elmas/Globes/TNS, August 25, 2025   For more further reading click > https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-865208   God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Psalm 53:2 BACK TO TOP 7. Beauty for Ashes The untold story of faith, unity, and resilience in the aftermath of October 7th   To view click > https://youtu.be/sgjT4FqZ1sM   To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 BACK TO TOP In this OT Weekly Update we attempt to tell you good news about what is happening in Israel. (There is far too much bad news, lies, or biased reporting about Israel that we want to show you the good side) We want to share good news about Jews worldwide, and especially where it concerns their return to Israel - ie. the Aliyah; Archeological discoveries - especially Biblical;  Technological advances; Medical discoveries/advances; Anything prophetic or showing the Bible is true and relevant to events in our time; Good news about Holocaust Survivors; and any good news about the war – from Israel’s vantage point. If you have been blessed by this news bulletin please consider clicking on this link to donate to the Operation Tarshish ministry so we can continue these Updates. Thank you.

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IDF: We Are Our Brothers' Keepers

Sunday, June 22, 2014 |  Ryan Jones  

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Operation Brother’s Keeper, the Israeli army’s massive search for three abducted Jewish teens, has intensified as it enters a new week, with IDF officials vowing they will leave no stone unturned.

Col. Eliezer Toledano, the commander of the IDF’s Paratrooper Brigade, said that three full battalions are taking part in the search and rescue operation, and that every soldier is unwaveringly committed to the mission.

“I am [personally] joining my soldiers, and despite the [harsh conditions] not one has asked when we are going home,” Toledano told the Israeli press. “We all believe that we will find the kidnapped youths, and it is with this faith that we march day and night.”

Over the weekend, the Israeli army arrested dozens more Hamas leaders and activists as it seeks out even the smallest clue as to where Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel are being held captive.

“Every pool in the area is being sucked dry. Locals are being questioned - anyone who can help, who might have local intelligence. This will continue in the coming days. We are turning over every stone,” a senior military source told The Jerusalem Post.

At the same time, another army officer told Israel Radio that violent Palestinian resistance to the search and rescue operation is increasing. Soldiers are being attacked with stones, Molotov cocktails and explosive devices, and in some instances have faced live gunfire.

In one particular fierce clash in the Samarian city of Nablus (biblical Shechem) on Saturday a Palestinian youth was shot dead as he and others attacked an Israeli search team. Another Palestinian man was killed when he ignored warning shots and approached Israeli soldiers in a threatening manner reminiscent of a suicide bomber.

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Israel Abduction Case Explodes on Social Media - ISRAEL TODAY

Israel Abduction Case Explodes on Social Media

Thursday, June 19, 2014 |  Israel Today Staff  

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While Israeli soldiers scour Judea and Samaria in search of three abducted Jewish teens, average Israelis and Palestinians have taken to social media with their contrasting views on the situation.

The Palestinian side has exploded in a celebratory campaign distinguished by a three-finger salute. Local Arabs of all ages have been posting photos of themselves and their children holding three fingers aloft to commemorate the kidnapping of three defenseless Jewish youths.

Those participating in this campaign are calling the abducted Israelis the “three Shalits,” in reference to Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was abducted in 2006 to Gaza where he was held captive until Israel finally agreed to trade 1,027 jailed terrorists for him in 2011.

Palestinians and their supporters abroad hope to blackmail Israel into freeing even more terrorists in exchange for the currently missing youths.

Israelis distraught by the abduction have also taken to social media,primarily Facebook, in a campaign dubbed “Bring Back Our Boys.” Israelis, Jews living abroad and supporters of Israel worldwide have been uploading photos of themselves holding signs with the slogan.

Even fans at the World Cup in Brazil have seen in photos supporting the campaign.

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Netanyahu to Abbas: I expect your help in rescuing our boys

Netanyahu to Abbas: I expect your help in rescuing our boys

June 16, 2014 Israel Hayom

Shlomo Cesana, Gideon Allon, Yori Yalon, Shlomi Diaz, News Agencies and Israel Hayom Staff

In first conversation between the two leaders in over a year, prime minister says: Terrorists kidnap innocent children, while we save lives of Palestinian children in our hospitals • Yair Lapid urges "zero tolerance toward terrorism."

For the first time in over a year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, demanding assistance in rescuing three Jewish teens believed to have been abducted by Hamas terrorists.

Gil-ad Shaer, Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Frenkel have been missing since Thursday night, when they hitchhiked home from a school near Hebron.

"I expect your assistance in returning the abducted boys home and in capturing the kidnappers," Netanyahu told Abbas. "The Hamas kidnappers came out of Palestinian Authority-controlled territory, and returned to Palestinian Authority-controlled territory."

"This incident reveals the nature of the kind of terror that we face. Terrorists kidnap innocent children, while we save the lives of sick Palestinian children in our hospitals. That is the difference between our humane policy and the murderous terrorism against us. You must understand the implications of your partnership with Hamas -- it is bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians and bad for the region."

Abbas condemned the kidnapping, issuing a statement saying, "The Palestinian Authority would like to reiterate the importance of not being dragged into violence on any side, especially in light of the fact that our position is that we must continue to work intensively to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners."

Abbas stressed that the "Palestinian security forces were making every effort to maintain peace and stability and to prevent the situation from devolving into chaos."

Meanwhile Monday, the diplomatic-security cabinet convened another special session where defense officials briefed ministers about the developments in the investigation and the potential retrieval of the missing teenagers.

"These teenagers were kidnapped and the kidnapping was carried out by Hamas," Netanyahu told reporters on Sunday, further pledging "serious consequences" should any harm befall the three.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement Sunday that the "United States strongly condemns the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers and calls for their immediate release. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and we hope for their quick and safe return home."

"We continue to offer our full support for Israel in its search for the missing teens, and we have encouraged full cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian security services," Kerry said.

"We understand that cooperation is ongoing. We are still seeking details on the parties responsible for this despicable terrorist act, although many indications point to Hamas' involvement. As we gather this information, we reiterate our position that Hamas is a terrorist organization known for its attacks on innocent civilians and which has used kidnapping in the past."

Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon leveled harsh criticism at the Palestinian Authority Sunday, saying, "The Palestinian Authority, which some call moderate, has just recently struck an alliance with Hamas, a terrorist organization that advocates the murder of Jews and aspires to overrun Judea and Samaria. Hamas is responsible for the abduction of these boys and we will know to exact a heavy price from its leadership, anywhere and at anytime we see fit to do so."

"We need to deal Hamas a massive blow, not negotiate with them," International Relations, Intelligence and Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz told Channel 10 Monday. "Israel's security forces are sparing no effort to find the boys and they're doing a fantastic job. We will continue with our efforts and -- just as important -- we will punish those responsible for this."

Steinitz criticized Abbas, saying that while "Hamas is primarily responsible for the abduction, the PA is also responsible, whether they like it or not. The PA is also responsible because it's cooperating with terror groups."

Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who serves on the Ddiplomatic-Security Cabinet, said Sunday, "The safety and security of the Israeli public mandates the State of Israel exercises zero tolerance toward any act of terrorism and subject its perpetrators to severe punishment. I urge everyone to support our security forces and allow them to do their job using all the resources at their disposal."

Tourism Minister Uzi Landau blamed the U.S. for the situation, saying, "The American administration's willingness to recognize the Abbas-Hamas government is encouraging terror. It has compromised the safety of Israeli citizens."

Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said Sunday that security forces were "operating under the assumption that the boys are alive. We will not rest until we bring them back."

Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon said Israel "will know who to exact a price from these heinous kidnappers. Once the three are back we will know how to deal with the Palestinian leadership, as well."

MK Shelly Yachimovich (Labor) said Sunday that "we have to do everything within our power to bring the boys home. Israel's concern for its sons is one of its fundamental values and it makes us stronger -- not weaker."

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzachi Hanegbi told Israel Radio Monday that officials in the U.S. and Europe were critical of Hamas over the abduction, and added that Israeli missions worldwide were instructed to increase their public diplomacy efforts, specifically by illustrating how the link between the PA and Hamas has contributed to the abduction.

Abbas, he said, was beginning to understand the mistake he made in partnering with Hamas.

Hanegbi stressed that the security collaboration between Israeli and Palestinian security forces was ongoing.

"Our hearts go out to Gil-ad, Eyal and Naftali, and their families. Our security forces are sparing no effort to find them and bring them home," President-elect Reuven Rivlin posted Sunday on his Facebook page.

"One cannot imagine the cruelty and cowardice of those who would abduct young boys making their way home. All of Israel is praying for their safe return."