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** 1 May 2026

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The revolutionary regime in Tehran continues to hold power. Its proxies and allies in the region such as Hamas (Gaza), Hezbollah (Lebanon) and the Shi'a paramilitary groups and militias operating in Iraq under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces ([link removed]) (PMF) such as the Badr Organization ([link removed]) , Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, and Hezbollah Brigades, are far from defeated.

Following the elimination of Iran’s key religious, political and military leaders by the US and Israel in recent weeks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has consolidated power – a regime even more extreme and repressive than its predecessors.

These groups and individuals are all dedicated to achieving the goals of the Shia Islamist regime established by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979: establishment of the global Muslim world (umma) through holy war by the use of force and other methods (jihad) to achieve regional hegemony and political Shia Islamist supremacy in the Muslim and non-Muslim world.


** Strait of Hormuz
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The current Iran crisis has evolved from an initial “hot war” phase at the end of February into a historically unique “dual blockade” focused on the Strait of Hormuz.

There is a kind of ceasefire in place, as Israel and US have temporarily ceased military action in Iran (excepting the blockade of Hormuz). It is questionable how long this will last. It is reported that the US and Israel are weighing up renewed military incursion in Iran. Iran “better get smart soon,” U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday, saying the mullahs “don’t know how to sign a non-nuclear deal” to end the war. “Iran can’t get their act together,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, posting an edited picture of himself walking through a war-torn scene with explosions behind him while holding a rifle. “No more Mr. Nice Guy!” the image caption read.

JNS colmnist Shimon Sherman describes the “dual blockade” in Hormuz as follows:
“At the center of this chapter in the conflict is the Strait of Hormuz. Measuring just 21 miles wide, this narrow geographic chokepoint has historically served as the central artery of the global oil economy. Before the conflict, the waterway accommodated the passage of approximately 3,000 commercial vessels every month, single-handedly processing roughly one-fifth of the world’s total seaborne petroleum trade. These waters are essential for sustaining the global supply chains of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and agricultural fertilizers.
Following the commencement of hostilities, however, transit volume through the strait collapsed by more than 90%. The resulting paralysis has trapped an estimated 2,000 commercial vessels and upwards of 20,000 mariners within the Persian Gulf. Due to the absence of an alternative route to the open ocean, these commercial assets and all the supply chains downstream of them are currently stuck in a painful holding pattern.
The crisis is defined by two overlapping enforcement zones. On one side, the Islamic Republic of Iran has forbidden passage to vessels it considers hostile, attempting to assert sovereign control over the international corridor and to leverage the resulting global economic crisis into diplomatic capital. Simultaneously, the United States has implemented a comprehensive naval blockade to stop any vessels servicing Iranian ports and pressure Tehran’s economy.”


** Attack on Jews in Golders Green: Two Wounded
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Two British Jews were stabbed in London’s Golders Green neighborhood on Wednesday. Jewish security volunteers detained the suspected assailant, a 45-year-old man who was then subdued and arrested by police. He has been charged with attempted murder.

The police described it as an act of terror. UK's terror threat level was raised to "severe" following the stabbing, reflecting the fact that antisemitic violence in the UK has spiked over the past two years. Like the governments in many Western countries such as Australia and Netherlands, where antisemitic incidents have risen dramatically, the government of Keir Starmer has done too little to address this problem.

Israel's President Isaac Herzog expresses fury over what he calls an “unacceptable situation” for Jewish people in the Western world after two were stabbed in the north London suburb of Golders Green. He stated -
“I am horrified by yet another violent attack on Jews in broad daylight on the streets of London. We are praying for a speedy recovery for all those injured.
Let me be clear: No Jew anywhere in the world should be a target because of their faith. In one of the great capital cities of the West, it has become dangerous to openly walk the streets as a Jew. This is an unacceptable situation. The British government and authorities must take urgent and immediate action before the next antisemitic attack occurs.
We have raised the alarm over the rise in global antisemitism again and again. It’s time for the world to wake up and fight this vicious wave of Jew hatred with all possible means. We in Israel will not stay silent as our Jewish sisters and brothers are threatened and attacked around the world.”

Police bikes in London | Photo: Unsplash - Kelsey Farish


** Hamas still Highly Significant Force in Gaza Strip
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The IDF’s presence remains deeply entrenched inside the Gaza Strip. The military actively controls more than 50% of the territory, including critical perimeters and strategic corridors, allowing Israeli forces to carry out extensive counter-terrorist engineering operations, analyst Ben Hanan noted, according to JNS. “We are actually doing all kinds of things there, some of which may even be irreversible, including destroying tunnels and building outposts,” he said. Because of this intense Israeli footprint, Ben Hanan cautioned against adopting an overly pessimistic perspective of Hamas’s current standing. However, he warned, the operational reality of Hamas’s surviving capabilities presents a severe, long-term threat to the State of Israel.
“We ended the war when Hamas still had 20,000 armed operatives. Currently, they are talking about that rising to 25,000, which makes sense, because the moment they can engage in rehabilitation, they will naturally recruit more. To me, 20,000 or 25,000 is essentially the same thing, and it is a major problem.”


** Hamas is Active in The Netherlands
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A Hamas ([link removed]) network has been involved in organizing protests in the Netherlands, according to a Thursday General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) report, which also detailed that it had identified individuals raising funds and lobbying on behalf of the Palestinian terrorist organization in the country.

The AIVD annual report for 2025 assessed that Hamas was involved with the groups that organized pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The AIVD said that while in 2025 these protests didn’t lead to violent incidents, they could lead to divisions within society. The Hamas network involved in demonstrations has been active in propaganda, lobbying, and fundraising for the terrorist organization for years, according to the AIVD. Part of a broader European Hamas network, the report shared that about ten people have been linked to the cells.


** EU Parliament urges Commission to Tighten Controls on Terror Funding
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On 30 April, the EU Parliament passed a budgetary resolution directly referencing Jerusalem-based research institute NGO Monitor as a catalyst for tightening regulations to ensure taxpayer funds do not end up with terrorist groups. The Parliament identified NGO Monitor’s December 2025 report, “Puppet Regime: Hamas’ Coercive Grip on Aid and NGO Operations in Gaza, ([link removed]) ” which highlights “attempts of Hamas’ infiltration and monitoring through so-called ‘guarantors’ of international NGOs, including within Union-funded humanitarian projects in the Gaza Strip,” per the EU. The resolution “urges the Commission to investigate all allegations of any type of undue infiltration and influence within Union-funded humanitarian projects and to suspend or recover Union funding where breaches are confirmed.”


** Qatar Alleged to Have Urged ICC Prosecutor to Arrest Netanyahu
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Qatar allegedly promised to “look after” the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, after he issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant in 2024, according to a reported witness statement ([link removed]) submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The statement was submitted by an anonymous individual familiar with a reported ([link removed]) Qatar-commissioned operation to discredit a woman who accused Khan of sexual abuse, according to an editorial published Monday in the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ said it had reviewed the document along with several supporting audio recordings.

This week, let us pray for the leaders of Israel and the USA as they consider next steps in the ongoing war against Shia Islamist extremism.

Pray for Jewish communities around the world who are facing increasing antisemitic violence. May the Lord protect His people, and defeat those who seek to hurt them.

Let us continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and the speedy coming of the Messiah of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He alone can usher in a kingdom of peace and righteousness.

The dual Iran-US blockade

The economics of the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis explained.
Read more ([link removed])

As antisemitism spirals, democracies must act now

Without decisive state action, rising hatred risks exploding into widespread violence.
Read more ([link removed])

Exploiting international focus on other arenas, Hamas moves to consolidate rule in Gaza

Yaakov Lappin (JNS): Former senior Shin Bet officials tell JNS that the group’s terror army and civil governance can only be dismantled by the IDF.
Read more ([link removed])

EU Cites NGO Monitor Research in Budget Vote, Calls for Tighter Vetting

Findings on Hamas exploitation of NGOs cited as Parliament works to ensure “no Union funds are allocated to any kind of terrorist movements.”
Read more ([link removed])

Hamas organizing pro-Palestinian protests, raising funds in Netherlands, Dutch intelligence says

Jerusalem Post: The AIVD warned about Iran's focus on offensive cyber programs, including influence operations, sabotage, and espionage, targeting Europe.
Read more ([link removed])

Hamas awaits the end of the Iran war while preparing for continued fighting

Hamas is exploiting the diplomatic stalemate to delay demands for its disarmament, while working to consolidate its governance in the Gaza Strip, rebuild its military capabilities and continue terrorist activity against IDF forces.
Read more ([link removed])

Report: Qatar offered to ‘look after’ ICC prosecutor who issued warrants for Israeli leaders

Manager of private intel operation to discredit woman accusing Karim Khan of sexual abuse says in recording that the prosecutor is backed by Doha, according to WSJ editorial.
Read more ([link removed])


** SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK:
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** Psalm 123
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I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. ^2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy. ^3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt. ^4 We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.

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The goal of Israel & Christians Today is to help Christians to take God’s Word seriously, and study current events in the world in the context of the Bible.

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