Gaza Ceasefire Holding

Israel and Hamas are continuing their hostage-prisoner exchange.

Since Monday, they’ve traded 90 deceased Palestinians for eight Hamas-held bodies, seven of which have been identified as hostages.  Hamas says it needs “special equipment” to reach 19 remaining hostage bodies, which are buried under rubble that may contain explosives. Israel is demanding that Hamas make a “greater effort” to return them.

The delay is raising fears that the ceasefire won’t hold; the U.S. says Hamas hasn’t broken the truce and intends to “honor” it. 

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israel is preparing to open the Rafah Crossing—the sole Gaza-Egypt border entry—for people (but humanitarian aid will only come through Israel-Gaza border entry points). Hamas is reasserting control where Israel has withdrawn, clashing with rival militias and those accused of collaborating with Israel. 

RADIATE HOPE
As we mourn violence and pray for peace to hold in the Middle East, believers are reminded of how good the news is of Jesus’s coming kingdom. His Spirit offers supernatural peace in our hearts today, and His return promises unbreakable peace in a renewed earth forever. 

“‘For I will create new heavens and a new earth… The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle, but the serpent’s food will be dust! They will not do what is evil or destroy on my entire holy mountain,’ says the LORD.” 
Isaiah 65:17, 25 (CSB) (read full passage)