Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 9 October 2025

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters. 

Israel and Hamas sign Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a U.S.-brokered peace deal that would institute a temporary ceasefire, facilitate an exchange of hostages for prisoners, and mandate a partial Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. President Trump has signaled he may travel to the Middle East imminently to help oversee implementation of the agreement. Under the terms, Hamas will release all remaining hostages while Israel will free many Palestinian detainees, including those serving life sentences. The agreement has drawn broad international praise from Arab and Western nations, while domestic political opposition in Israel, especially from right-wing factions remains vocal. Key unresolved issues such as Hama’s disarmament, Gaza’s future governance, and the scope of Israeli withdrawal are set to be negotiated under later phases of the plan.

Analyst Comments: The ceasefire agreement represents a critical humanitarian and logistical turning point with the exchange of hostages and prisoners along with a pause in active fighting, offering immediate relief to. The success of this phase will depend on whether both sides can maintain consistent communication and compliance under high-pressure conditions. While the outcome of the deal remains uncertain, this pause provides an opportunity for reconstruction planning, trauma recovery, and renewed diplomatic engagement.

For U.S. HOWs, while the ceasefire may temporarily lower the persisting threat from those who may be activated domestically in response to actions in the ongoing war, the ultimate reduction of that threat will rely on sustained peace. Faith-based communities are still encouraged to operate with elevated levels of situational awareness, and maintain fluid threat assessments in reaction to any potential breaks of the ceasefire from either side.

Michigan lawmakers introduce Pray Safe Act to improve safety after church mass killing

In response to a deadly mass attack at a Mormon church in Michigan, U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin have introduced the “Pray Safe Act”, a bipartisan proposal aimed at enhancing security for HOWs and faith-based nonprofits. The legislation would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a federal clearinghouse that offers access to resources such as security best practices, training programs, and information on grant opportunities. Proponents say that a central hub would streamline how places of worship seek guidance and assistance in protecting congregants. Pastors and religious leaders have expressed support for improving safety, though some note concerns about balancing security with the open and welcoming nature of religious communities. The proposal would apply broadly across faith traditions, covering churches, synagogues, mosques, and other nonprofit religious organizations.

Analyst Comments: The bills aim to foster safer worship environments depends on careful implementation, equitable access to resources, and sensitivity to religious autonomy. It isn’t clear what the bill may offer beyond what is already available on CISA’s Houses of Worship homepage, while FB-ISAO also maintains a Resource Library.

Coastal storm to hammer US East Coast with flooding, wind and erosive surf

A powerful costal storm is expected to strike the U.S. East Coast from the Carolinas to New England in the coming days, brining extended periods of flooding, strong winds, erosive surf, and heavy rainfall. The system which may evolve into a subtropical or hybrid storm is forecast to move northward off the Georgia coast and strengthen as it goes. Tides already elevated by “king tides” could contribute to storm surge 1-3 feet above normal, with localized 10-20 feet or more, posing a serious risk of beach erosion and damage to dunes. Along costal zones from southeastern Virginian through Massachusetts, wind gusts of 40-60 mph are expected, with the potential for isolated gusts up to 80 mph. Rainfall along the Interstate-95b corridor from North Carolina to Massachusetts may reach 2-4 inches, with extreme of up to 10 inches possible in localized areas, compounding flood risk. Low-lying and barrier island communities are especially at risk of inundation, erosion, and property impacts.

Analyst Comments: Experts characterize the approaching system as a tropical wind and rainstorm, likely of subtropical or hybrid character, meaning it draws energy both from warm ocean waters and interactions with upper-level fronts. With the possibility of high winds, elevated tides, and surge + rainfall + erosive surf it is important to be prepared.  Before the storm you may consider staying informed by monitoring local NOAA and the National Weather Service updates. Evaluate your properties vulnerabilities, prepare supplies, plan for evacuation or sheltering, and protect vehicles and equipment.

The Gate 15 Interview EP 63: Incident Response & What’s the Buzz from the TribalNet Floor!

The Gate 15 Interview is a monthly interview between Gate 15’s Founder and Managing Director, Andy Jabbour and guests from throughout the homeland security risk management community addressing a wide range of all-hazards topics and issues.

In this month’s Gate 15 Interview Andy speaks with TribalHub’s Senior Marketing & Communication Manager, Michelle Bouschor and the two discuss the following:

• Incident Response
• Why non-IT leaders need to be a part of the conversation
• What’s trending across the conference

Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcast.