US Prisoners Fly out of Iran in Swap Deal; Received by US Officials: Five US detainees flew out of Iran on Monday, September 18, in a swap for five Iranians held in the US under a rare deal brokered by Qatar between the arch enemies, that also unfroze $6 billion of Tehran’s funds.
A Qatari plane took off from Tehran carrying the five with two of their relatives, shortly after the US and Iran received confirmation that the funds had been transferred to accounts in Doha, a source briefed on the matter told British media.
Iranian media said two of the five Iranians to be released in the exchange had landed in Doha. There was no independent confirmation, though Iranian officials had said three of those to be freed by the US were not returning to Iran.
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday that the release of five American detainees by Tehran was “purely a humanitarian action” as they left Iran under a Qatar-mediated deal that involved the release of $6 billion in Iranian funds in South Korea.
The transfer of Iran’s funds under this agreement has been criticized for effectively opening the door to more hostage-taking so that the US continues to engage in such deals. (JPost /VFI News)
“God, we ask that You give our allies wisdom when negotiating with malevolent entities. May all of our leaders make the best decisions for the welfare of their citizens. We hope that the funds allocated to Iran will not be used for terrorist purposes or for enhancing its nuclear capacity.”
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Military System Malfunction Causes Loud Blast in Iranian City of Gorgan: A malfunction in a military system was the cause of a blast heard in the northern Iranian city of Gorgan, a spokesperson from Iran’s Defense Ministry said on Monday, September 18.
“In the process of testing defense and drone systems in a desert region, one of these systems suffered a technical defect and deviated from its main path,” the spokesperson said, adding that debris fell in and around the city of Gorgan. It was not immediately clear if the spokesperson was referring to a missile.
An official from the Golestan province’s governorate had earlier said the fallen object was a drone and added that two civilians were injured in the incident.
Iranian media have shared footage of a burnt object lying in a street, with nearby shops having their windows smashed and cars sustaining damage. Other videos showed loud bangs followed by debris falling in other parts of the city of Gorgan. (JPost / VFI News)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:43-44
Biden: US to Work for Israeli Normalization and Two States: The United States plans to seek both the normalization of the Jewish state with its Arab neighbors and a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, US President Joe Biden told the United Nations on Tuesday, September 19.
“Israel’s greater normalization and economic connection with its neighbors delivering positive and practical impacts even as we continue to work tirelessly for just and lasting peace, for Israelis and Palestinians, two states for two peoples,” he said.
He spoke in advance of his highly anticipated meeting on Wednesday morning with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UNGA’s weeklong event that draws heads of state and governments from many of the UN’s 193 member nations.
Biden referenced specifically the new energy corridor the US announced that would link Europe to India through the Middle East, touching Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Biden hinted that the partnerships the US is helping foster between Israel and its neighbors have little to do with Iran’s nuclear threat. However, he also warned that the US would work to ensure that “Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.” (JPost /VFI News)
“God, we pray that Prime Minister Netanyahu will have a significantly positive impact while in the US and that Israel’s requests and stances will be taken seriously. We hope that both leaders will prioritize the security of the Middle-Eastern citizens and will proceed to take all necessary action to achieve that.”
Police: Palestinian Attempts to Stab Officers at East Jerusalem Checkpoint, Is Shot: A Palestinian man was shot by police officers after attempting to carry out a stabbing attack at a checkpoint near Jerusalem on Monday morning, September 18, law enforcement officials said.
According to police, the suspect, a 47-year-old from the Bethlehem area, approached the Mazmuria checkpoint near the Har Homa neighborhood of southern East Jerusalem and aroused the suspicion of Border Police officers stationed there.
Officers stationed at the checkpoint sought to question the Palestinian man, who then drew a knife from behind his back and ran toward the forces, the spokesman said. A Border Police officer shot at him in response.
Police said the suspect was taken by medics to a nearby hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately clear. There were no other injuries in the incident.
Also on Monday morning, Palestinian gunmen carried out three separate shooting attacks against Israeli forces in Judea and Samaria, the military said. In one of the attacks, an army patrol driving along the Judea and Samaria security barrier near the northern Israeli town of Meirav came under fire. The IDF said a military vehicle was damaged in the attack, but no soldiers were wounded. (TOI / VFI News)
“God, we thank You for protecting our police forces from harm and alerting them in time so they could apprehend the terrorists. We are humbly grateful for Your constant protection and provisions that enable us to feel safe and hopeful.”
Police Call on Civilians with Gun Licenses: Carry Your Weapons to Synagogue: Israel Police head of Operations Major General Sigal Bar-Tzvi on Monday morning, September 18, updated the police force’s senior command staff regarding preparations for the remainder of the holidays in the Jewish month of Tishrei, and especially for Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
In her statements, Bar-Tzvi noted that there has been a rise in the number of warnings of potential terror attacks. “Like every year ahead of the Tishrei holidays, we have raised the level of alert in certain areas around the country, especially for the cities of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and centers of prayer and entertainment,” she said.
“The rise in the number of warnings, together with the incitement to terror, which has also increased ahead of the Tishrei holidays, brought us to special preparations in which thousands of police officers, Border Police officers, and volunteers have been stationed around the country every day, in order to prevent hostile incidents and secure places of prayer, places of entertainment, and the general public throughout the entire holiday period.”
“We call to the public: Anyone who possesses a weapon and is skilled in its use when necessary should carry his weapons during these days,” she concluded. (INN /VFI News)
IDF Unveils New ‘Barak’ Tank: The Defense Ministry and IDF on Tuesday, September 19, unveiled for the first time the new ‘Barak’ tank.
The joint statement reads: “Sensing and front-end processing capabilities based on artificial intelligence, the ability to reveal the enemy and create targets for combat troops on the battlefield, full combat in closed ranges based on 360-degree peripheral observation and a “pilots” helmet for the commander, multi-touch screens, advanced operation controllers, adaptation to changing combat situations and improved survivability – these are just some of the capabilities of the new tank that was recently brought to service in the IDF.”
Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said: “It is very meaningful that during the period when we mark 50 years since the ‘Yom Kippur War’, and the heroic battles fought during this war by the soldiers of the Armored Corps in defense of our country — we receive further proof of the relevance and power of the tank as an essential tool.”
The exposure, operation, and processing capabilities of the Barak tank will cause a dramatic change on the battlefield. It will enhance the capabilities needed to expose an enemy and will enable combat against an enemy with a low profile and in all combat situations on the current and future battlefield, against the set of threats that exist for the maneuvering force.
The Barak will be equipped with a commander’s sight and a gunner and with continuous and up-to-date intelligence collection, fusion, and sharing capabilities. It has capabilities and means to close circles of fire between all the forces fighting on land and in the air, in a way that will reduce time and increase accuracy in battle. (INN / VFI News)
“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” – Deuteronomy 20:4
UAE Foreign Minister Condemns Mahmoud Abbas’ Antisemitic Speech: United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday, September 19, met with Jewish leaders at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
Media reported that Al Nahyan condemned the speech by Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas blaming the Jews for the Holocaust.
According to the report, the UAE Foreign Minister “condemned the irresponsible statements made by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas regarding Jews and the Nazi Holocaust.”
He reiterated the UAE’s rejection of racism, bigotry, and hate speech. In his speech last month, Abbas claimed that Hitler killed the Jews not because of their ethnicity, but because of their practices regarding money and finances. “This is explained in many Jewish books,” Abbas said.
Abbas also repeated the debunked ‘Khazar myth’ that Jews from Europe are not really Jews and made similarly false claims about the exodus of Jews from Arab and Muslim countries during the 20th Century. (INN / VFI News)
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17
Paraguay to Open Embassy in Jerusalem: Paraguay plans to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli media reported.
The embassy, which is expected to open at the end of 2023, will be reciprocated with the opening of an Israeli embassy in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion.
In 2018, Paraguay’s outgoing president Horacio Cartes announced that his country would open an embassy in Jerusalem, following similar moves by the US and Guatemala.
But the embassy was moved back to Tel Aviv after just five months by Cartes’s successor Abdo Benitez, who said he hadn’t been consulted in the original decision and indicated that it harmed efforts to maintain a more neutral approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (JPost / VFI News)
The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.
