January 3rd, 2025 | Messianic World Update | Houthi Escalation, Hamas Standoff, and U.S. Terror Alerts: Israel Update

Shalom, everyone, I'm Monte Judah with Lion and Lamb Ministries, bringing you the latest Messianic World Update. Today's date is January 3, 2025, and there are significant developments to report from Israel and around the world.

The Houthi rebels have escalated their attacks on Israel, launching long-range missiles and drones targeting critical infrastructure in central Israel, including attempts to strike Tel Aviv's main power station. While Israel's defense systems have successfully intercepted these threats, the attacks are causing significant disruption to civilian life, with nighttime air raid sirens forcing residents into bomb shelters.

Hostage negotiations remain at an impasse. Israel has offered a 60-day ceasefire and staged releases, but Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire and the return of released prisoners to Gaza. Israel maintains its position that Hamas must be eliminated while working to secure the hostages' release.

The IDF has made significant progress in Gaza, recently clearing a major hospital of terrorists posing as medical staff, resulting in over 250 arrests. Israel continues to provide humanitarian medical support while destroying Hamas infrastructure and tunnel networks.

Concerning developments have occurred in the United States, with two apparent terrorist attacks—one in New Orleans involving a ramming attack by a vehicle with an ISIS flag and another in Las Vegas targeting a Trump hotel. Both perpetrators were former U.S. army personnel and served at the same base for a time, raising questions about potential connections, despite initial FBI findings suggesting lone-wolf attacks.

In Israeli politics, Prime Minister Netanyahu underwent prostate surgery but quickly returned to the Knesset for a crucial vote. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Gallant's resignation from the Knesset and ongoing debates about ultra-Orthodox military service continue to shape domestic policy.

Regional developments include Israel's admission of a successful special operations mission into Syria targeting an Iranian missile factory and Lebanon's decision to block Iranian money transfers to Hezbollah. Perhaps most critically, there are concerns that Iran may attempt to rapidly develop nuclear weapons within the next few weeks, before Donald Trump takes office. Prime Minister Netanyahu is hoping to hold off on any attack on Iran until after the inauguration. We will have to watch the situation carefully and see what develops.

Please pray for Israel and the ongoing war, continue to pray for the hostages’ soon release, and pray for our government as we transition to the new administration. Please also pray for domestic terrorism here in the U.S. not to arise.

Shabbat Shalom to all of you.