Escalate, Evacuate

Israel’s dialing up its offensive against Hamas. 

Yesterday, the IDF dropped leaflets across Gaza City, ordering an “immediate” evacuation of the area, directing the city’s million residents to travel south to a humanitarian zone. PM Netanyahu says “this is only the beginning” of an “intensified ground maneuver” in the city, warning of a “mighty hurricane” if Hamas doesn’t surrender. 

Later, the IDF carried out a “precise strike” targeting Hamas’s negotiating team in Doha, Qatar. Hamas says five of its members were killed but that its top leaders all survived; Qatar has called the move a “blatant violation” of international law.

Meanwhile, two gunmen opened fire at a Jerusalem bus stop on Monday, killing six and critically injuring at least seven others. Hamas has not claimed responsibility but praised the “resistance fighters.”

CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
It’s easy to feel helpless when there is such intense suffering happening so far away. But the Bible promises that prayer is powerful and effective, that it causes things to happen that would not have happened otherwise (James 5:16; Hebrews 4:16).

Heavenly Father, bring your kingdom’s peace here, as it is in heaven. Dismantle the suspicions that separate. Provide for the war-torn; heal those wounded and grieving. Free the power hungry from hatred, cruelty, and revenge. Empower leaders with wisdom to negotiate creatively. And embolden your Church to go courageously into the mess, proclaiming the gospel of peace. Amen.