Peace Talks

Israel and Hamas are in a peace-talk tug of war. 

Ceasefire negotiations started moving again after Israel put their stamp of approval on a U.S.-brokered offer. The proposal includes:

• A 60-day pause in fighting 
• The release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 bodies in the first week, with 30 more released after a more permanent truce
• The release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and 180 bodies 
• And humanitarian aid to Gaza via the U.N. and other agencies

Hamas agreed to release the 28 hostages… with some proposed edits to the terms and conditions, including:

• A permanent truce 
• The complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza 
• And a guaranteed 600 aid trucks/day to the enclave

U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff called Hamas’s counteroffer “unacceptable,” saying it “takes us backward” in negotiations.

ABOVE ALL, LOVE
It’s easy to become angry and indignant over world events, but much more difficult to live with the tension of desiring change while simultaneously loving everyone involved. Followers of Christ are called to live in that tension, loving the very people they work against.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High.”
Luke 6:32, 35 (CSB) (read full passage)