Ceasefire
The tenuous ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is expected to begin Sunday.
On Wednesday night, the U.S. announced that the anticipated deal was done, but yesterday, Israel delayed its approval, accusing Hamas of backtracking “to extort last-minute concessions.” Hamas denied the claim.
Israel’s cabinet will convene tomorrow to vote on the ceasefire.
Under the agreement, the first six-week phase would see a ceasefire, 33 Hamas-held hostages released (including Americans), hundreds of life-sentenced Palestinian prisoners released, and partial IDF withdrawal from Gaza. Negotiations for the final ceasefire and hostage release would come sixteen days later.
Fighting has raged on throughout final negotiations. Hamas says Israeli air strikes Wednesday and Thursday killed 75 people and endangered a hostage; Israel says it killed a terrorist who participated in the October 7th massacre.
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Join us in prayer for long-term peace, confident that God is able to spread across the globe the peace that he has given to those who trust him (Isaiah 26:3).
“Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.”
Book of Common Prayer, page 654