FOCAL Online

13/06/2025

🔴 BREAKING NEWS: Iran Launches Missile & Drone Strikes on Israel – June 13, 2025

📍 Where & When
On June 13, 2025, Iran carried out a significant retaliatory strike on Israel. Air raid sirens blared across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and northern regions as dozens of missiles and over 100 drones were launched .

✈️ Why This Happened
The strike came in direct response to Israel’s Operation Rising Lion—an unprecedented early‑morning air campaign involving over 200 aircraft and 330 munitions targeting around 100 Iranian sites, including nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, plus Iran’s top military leaders .

🛡️ Immediate Impact in Israel

Air defense systems (Iron Dome, Arrow) were activated, intercepting most incoming threats .

Explosions and “smoke plumes” observed in major cities; no confirmed casualties yet, though 5 people reportedly suffered shrapnel injuries .

The IDF declared a state of emergency, urging civilians to stay near shelters—schools and many workplaces have been suspended .

🌍 Wider Context

Israel attacked under the rationale of halting Iran’s nuclear threat; several Iranian generals and scientists were reportedly killed .

Iran’s Supreme Leader labeled the assault a “declaration of war,” and vowed further retaliation .

The UN Security Council will meet in an emergency session. Global leaders, including the US, are urging heavy caution .

📌 Advisory for Filipinos in Israel

Filipino OFWs and residents (~30,700 in Israel) are advised to stay alert—follow Home Front Command updates and Ministry of Foreign Affairs advisories .

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv is on standby and can assist at +972 54‑4661188 .

Avoid non-essential travel and stay near designated shelters until authorities lift the emergency alert.

✍️ Kayo po, kamusta? Ano ang nakita o narinig ninyo sa lugar niyo? Comment below para malaman naming LIGTAS kayo. Patuloy kaming magbabantay at mag-uulat—dahil kayo ang tunay na priority namin.

FOCAL Online | Kasama ng bawat Pilipino sa Israel at sa buong mundo.

13/06/2025

BREAKING NEWS| Iran announces that a third wave of missiles has been fired at Israel.

13/06/2025

IDF: The attack is ongoing. Dozens of additional missiles were launched toward the State of Israel. You are requested to continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the instructions sent to you. The explosions you are hearing are from interceptions or fallen projectiles.

The IDF repeats and emphasizes not to publish and share the locations and footage of hits. The Aerial Defense Array is currently identifying and intercepting launches.

13/06/2025

JUST IN| Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles in retaliation against Israel, and five to seven of them landed in Tel Aviv area late Friday.

The IDF reported that a second Iranian missile salvo had been fired and was in route to Israel. As the nation prepares for a huge missile and drone attack, the military issued a critical warning throughout the country.

13/06/2025

BREAKING NEWS| IDF launches preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear program. Israeli Airspace closed until further notice.

Developing Story.

The IDF launched a preemptive, precise, combined offensive to strike Iran's nuclear program.

Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world.

The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past.

18/04/2025

Experience the depth of love and sacrifice this Good Friday with Saved2Save Church. Join us for a soul-stirring convention filled with worship, reflection, and hope as we honor the One who gave it all for us. Let this be a moment of renewal and deep connection with God. Tune in to the livestream now:

https://www.youtube.com/live/ak3s8W8QQks?si=Ra5TeRM6gZxvY8pZ"

ברוכים הבאים לערוץ הרשמי של קהילת ניצלתי כדי להציל 📖 #ישוע ‎על מנת לתמוך בתרומה ונתינה: https://www.paypal.com/paypa...

22/02/2025

🚨 Israel-Gaza War News Update:

𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺 𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗮 𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗞𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗴 𝟲𝟬𝟮 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗼
Focal Online | 22.02.2025

𝗣𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝟮𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – Pinalaya ngayong araw ng grupong Hamas ang anim na bihag mula sa Israel bilang bahagi ng kasunduan sa tigil-putukan. Ang pagpapalaya sa mga bihag ay isinagawa sa tulong ng International Committee of the Red Cross, na nangasiwa sa kanilang ligtas na paglipat mula Gaza patungo sa Israel.

𝗞𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮 𝗺𝗴𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗴 𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗮:

Avera Mengistu at Hisham al-Sayed, na matagal nang bihag mula 2014 at 2015 matapos silang pumasok sa Gaza.

Tal Shoham, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, at Omer Wenkert, na dinukot noong pag-atake ng Hamas noong Oktubre 2023.

Bilang kapalit, magpapalaya naman ang Israel ng 602 bilanggong Palestino, kabilang ang 50 na may habambuhay na sentensiya at iba pang matagal nang nakakulong mula pa sa huling palitan ng mga bihag noong 2011.

Ang kasunduan sa pagpapalaya ay dumating matapos ang pagbabalik ng mga labi ng ilang bihag na Israeli, kabilang ang pamilya Bibas, na pinatay habang nasa kamay ng Hamas. Dahil dito, muling sumiklab ang mga diskusyon tungkol sa pagtrato sa mga bihag at ang patuloy na hidwaan sa pagitan ng Israel at Hamas.

Habang patuloy ang tigil-putukan, inaasahang magpapatuloy rin ang mga negosasyon upang mapag-usapan ang kalagayan ng natitirang bihag at bilanggo, na may layuning makamit ang mas matagalang kapayapaan.

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆𝗲, 𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴:
🔹 Guardian
🔹 The Times
🔹 AP News

21/02/2025

𝗔 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗮𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆
Focal Online | 21.02.2025

In a story that has gripped Israel and the world, the Bibas family—Shiri, Yarden, and their two young sons, Ariel and baby Kfir—became the face of heartbreak and horror after being kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attacks. Their journey, filled with uncertainty, tragedy, and unanswered questions, has left an entire nation mourning.

𝘼 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮’𝙨 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨

On that fateful October morning, as Hamas militants stormed their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Shiri Bibas clutched her two sons, shielding them from the chaos. Her husband, Yarden, was taken separately. The haunting image of Shiri, terrified yet holding her children tightly, circulated widely, symbolizing the brutality of the attack.

For months, the world held its breath, desperate for news of their fate. Hamas later claimed that Shiri and the children had died in Israeli airstrikes, but no proof was ever given. Israel refused to believe it. Then, in February 2024, a shocking revelation emerged—a video showing Shiri and her boys alive in Gaza shortly after their abduction. Hope flickered, but it would soon be extinguished.

𝘼 𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜

As part of a negotiated ceasefire and prisoner exchange, Yarden was finally released on February 1, 2025. His return was bittersweet—his wife and children were still missing. Then, just weeks later, on February 20, Hamas handed over what they claimed were the bodies of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir.

But in a final, cruel twist, Israeli authorities discovered that the remains presented as Shiri’s did not belong to her. A mother still unaccounted for. A family still incomplete.

𝙐𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙐𝙣𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙣

Where is Shiri Bibas? Did she truly perish in captivity, or is she still being held somewhere in Gaza? Her absence has left a gaping wound in the hearts of her family and the Israeli people.

The release of the Bibas children’s bodies—treated as nothing more than bargaining chips in a deadly game—has drawn global outrage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Hamas, calling their actions a grave violation of humanitarian agreements.

𝘼 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙈𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜

The story of the Bibas family is more than a tragedy; it is a symbol of the human cost of war, of innocent lives caught in the crossfire. The image of little Kfir, the youngest hostage taken on October 7, will forever haunt history. The echoes of their suffering will not fade.

𝐀𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬: Will justice ever be served for the Bibas family? Or will their story remain one of sorrow, unanswered questions, and a world that could not save them?

In this VIDEO: 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞
The Emotional Video of the Bibas Children and the Plea - "We Must Not Wait"

Ariel looks at his brother Kfir for the first time and hugs him. This video was filmed eight months before the Bibas family was kidnapped to Gaza.

21/02/2025

Israel-Gaza News Update:

𝟐 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐢 𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐮𝐬

Isang trahedya ang naiwasan matapos mapansin ng isang pasahero ang kahina-hinalang bagay sa isang bus sa Gush Dan, na nagresulta sa agarang paglikas ng driver ilang minuto bago sumabog ang bomba. Sa nakagugulat na pangyayari, dalawang mamamayang Israeli ang inaresto dahil sa umano'y pagtulong sa mga salarin sa planadong pambobomba.

Noong Huwebes ng gabi, tatlong bomba ang sumabog sa mga nakaparadang bus sa Bat Yam at Holon, habang isa pang bomba ang natagpuan at na-deactivate bago sumabog. Pinaghihinalaang mula sa West Bank ang mga pampasabog, na may mga timer, na nagpapahiwatig ng maingat na pagpaplano ng pag-atake.

Kinumpirma ng hepe ng pulisya sa Tel Aviv ang maraming bombang natagpuan at nagbabala sa publiko na manatiling mapagmatyag. Nangunguna sa imbestigasyon ang Shin Bet, ngunit hindi pa inilalabas ang karagdagang detalye dahil sa isang gag order.

Samantala, patuloy ang pag-aalala sa lumalalang problema ng ilegal na pagpasok mula sa West Bank, kung saan tinatayang 1,000 katao ang pumapasok sa Israel araw-araw nang walang pahintulot. Maraming Israeli ang hindi namamalayang nakakatulong sa pagpasok ng mga ito, na maaaring nagamit sa pagpapasok ng mga terorista.

Bago ang digmaan, mahigit 100,000 Palestinian ang pinapayagang magtrabaho sa Israel araw-araw, ngunit bumagsak ito sa 6,500. Hinimok ng mga opisyal ng seguridad ang gobyerno na payagan ang mas maraming manggagawa upang mapigilan ang paglala ng kawalan ng trabaho sa Palestinian territories—isang sitwasyong maaaring magdulot ng mas maraming pag-atake. Gayunman, wala pang aksyon mula sa mga namumuno sa politika.

Habang patuloy ang tensyon at banta ng panibagong pag-atake, kailangang magpasiya ang Israel kung paano babalansehin ang seguridad at patakarang pang-ekonomiya sa mga darating na araw.

VIDEO: 𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦 𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐦𝐠𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐚 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢.

23/11/2024

Mga Ka-FOCAL's, it is time to share...

Dear Friends,

I am reaching out today because I am supporting a cause that is very close to my heart.

I can't stress too strongly that decisions determined destiny.

For the first time in twenty years, an entire generation of Israeli children, born and raised here, are graduating high school without any legal status or rights in the only country they know. The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants is unwilling to accept this reality. We have already sent the Minister of the Interior a formal request to adjust the status of these children, who are Israeli in every way except on paper. For 25 years, the Hotline has fought for the most basic right—legal documentation for children who grew up in Israel, but who remain invisible to the state. Our work led to two previous government decisions, in 2005-6 and 2010 that saved generations of children. Those children went on to become Israeli adults who are thriving and contributing to our society.

Now the time has come to ensure that the current generation will not remain invisible and undocumented. Help us fulfill our mission to enable every child who grew up here to remain here as one of us. You can help us as we fight for the future of the children of Migrants and Refugees. Don’t abandon them.

To continue our fight to ensure that every child born, raised, and graduating school here is recognized as Israeli, we need you! Help us to secure a future for the children of migrants and refugees:

Fighting for every child born and raised in Israel to be recognized as Israeli

22/10/2024

REMINDER: Winter is here! Daylight saving time will come to an end in Israel in the early hours of Sunday October 27, 2024 with the clock going back one hour at 2am - giving locals an extra hour of sleep.

16/10/2024

Liam Payne, former One Direction member, has died at the age of 31 after reportedly falling from hotel balcony. 🙏🕊️

May he rest in peace.