On October 4, Pastor Joel Engel performed a “prophetic act” near the border of the Gaza Strip, about 100 meters from the barrier separating Israel from the territory controlled by Hamas.

The prayer took place just hours after the terrorist group announced, on October 3, that it would agree to release all Israeli hostages – alive or dead – under the terms of a ceasefire plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Days later, on Wednesday (8), Israel and Hamas signed a peace agreement, establishing the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as the first step toward a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. According to the deal, Israeli forces would withdraw from Palestinian territory, while Hamas would have 72 hours to begin releasing the hostages.

Engel said the prayer was a clear directive from God. “The Lord had strongly placed on my heart that it was time to proclaim liberation over the captives and redemption over the land,” the pastor declared. “We believe God heard the prayers made there and is fulfilling His promise of jubilee and restoration over Israel.”

“I Needed to Go to Gaza”

The pastor told the Brazilian Christian website Guiame that he often visits Israel to celebrate the Jewish feasts and take part in prayer movements in Jerusalem. This year, however, he said something different was stirring within him:

“First, I felt a burden of prayer for Brazil, but something very strong was also calling me to Gaza. Day and night I thought, ‘I need to go there—pray in that place, seek God, and weep.’”

While preparing a message, Engel said he received a clear word from God. He shared that he spent days praying silently in his hotel room, with no desire to leave. “The Spirit of supplication came upon me. The only thing I could do was pray.”

 

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Uma publicação compartilhada por Joel Engel יואל אנג׳ל (@pastorjoelengel)

When he arrived in Israel, the pictures of hostages displayed at the airport deeply moved him. “The greatest cry of the people of Israel is for their children. They will not rest until they see them return home. God showed me that this is also the heart of the heavenly Father—He too weeps for His captive children.”

A Mission surrounded by risks

Convinced of God’s direction, Engel began seeking a way to reach the border. “No one wanted to take me. Everyone said, ‘Don’t even think of going near Gaza, it’s too dangerous.’”

Even so, he persisted. “The Holy Spirit kept speaking to me: ‘In Gaza there are people suffering, and a prophet must go where he is needed.’”

After several days of searching, he contacted Álvaro, a Spanish friend and tour guide in Israel. “It was Friday, the eve of Shabbat. He hesitated at first, but on Saturday morning he agreed to take me.”

Álvaro explained that entering Gaza was not possible, but there was a viewpoint about 100 meters from the border where the entire region could be seen.

Marks of terror along the way

The journey took about an hour and a half. “The closer we got, the more desolate the path became. I saw crosses, memorials, remnants of attacks. There was a heavy atmosphere of sadness and desolation,” Engel recalled.

 

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Uma publicação compartilhada por Joel Engel יואל אנג׳ל (@pastorjoelengel)

“We passed through cities scarred by the 2023 attacks—burned buildings, destroyed cars. The city of Sderot impressed me:it’s beautiful but completely empty. Not a single person on the streets. Everything closed.”

At every bus stop, there are protective bunkers. “We heard terrible stories—people who hid and were killed by grenades, young people who pretended to be dead. It takes great emotional strength to witness all that.”

At the viewpoint, Engel saw the scene of the conflict up close. “There was an iron shield where people could take photos safely, but I placed a chair in front of it. I wanted to pray facing Gaza, looking directly at that devastated land. It felt like standing before the valley of the shadow of death.”

The Wind of the Spirit

As he prayed, Engel cried out for liberation—for the hostages, for the families, and for the nation. “I asked God for a sign, as in Ezekiel 37, when the prophet calls to the four winds,” he said.

The pastor then raised his tallit and prayed: “Lord, send Your wind! Show that You are hearing our prayer. Send winds of peace, healing, and joy over this land.”

Moments later, something happened. “A strong wind began to blow. The tallit lifted, and everyone around was amazed. A Japanese man who was there gestured, saying, ‘It’s working!’ I started laughing and crying at the same time. The presence of God was real.”

Engel described that moment as a spiritual turning point. “The wind of the Spirit blew in Gaza. I saw, by faith, the hostages coming out, returning home, being received with celebration. It was the jubilee—the time of restoration and freedom.”

Before leaving, he had prepared everything with his family. “I left very early, without telling them, so as not to worry them. But I left instructions with my son-in-law and told my daughter that if I didn’t return, my cards were with her. I knew it was a dangerous mission.”

Later, he learned that Álvaro had done the same. “He also said goodbye to his wife, leaving everything ready. That’s when we realized we were truly on a prophetic mission.”

Upon returning to Jerusalem, Engel broke down in tears. “I cried a lot. I felt a profound emotion—but also peace, the certainty that God had heard. The time is prophetic. The jubilee represents return, restoration, and liberation.”

“It Will Be Fulfilled”

“God’s promise is clear. In Leviticus 25:8, He speaks of the liberation of slaves. And Jesus confirms it in Luke 4:18-19: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’

“Based on that word, we proclaim: it will be fulfilled! We sounded the shofar and believe that God is powerful to bring this blessing to pass,” he stated.

For Engel, the wind that blew at the Gaza border was a visible sign of God’s action on behalf of Israel. “It wasn’t a natural wind—it was the breath of the Holy Spirit responding to the cry of a nation. God still reigns over Israel.”

Moved, he concluded: “The prayer in Gaza was not only for Israel—it was a prayer for the world. Because when the Son of Man sets us free, we are truly free. God is calling His Church to intercede, so that all captives may return to the Father’s house.”