Temporary Truce on the Table

Hamas accepted mediators’ latest ceasefire proposal on Monday.

The deal, based on the U.S. framework, would mean:

• Hamas frees 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in two batches (which would leave 22 hostages in captivity, 10 believed to be alive) 
• Israel releases 150 Palestinian prisoners
• Fighting stops for 60 days, meaning Israel abandons its planned occupation of Gaza City
• Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire restart 

The news of Hamas’s approval came hours after President Trump urged Israel to expand attacks, saying Hamas must be “confronted and destroyed” to save hostages. Meanwhile, more than 200,000 Israelis protested the planned military expansion, arguing that it endangers hostages and Palestinian civilians. 

Israel hasn’t committed either way, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has said he’s no longer interested in partial, temporary deals and wants hostages released all “in one go.” 

CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Join us in prayer for the Middle East, confident that God hears and grants our prayers when we pray “according to his will” (1 John 5:14–15).

“O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.”
Book of Common Prayer, page 655