“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!” – Psalm 122:6
Two years ago, on October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists viciously attacked Israel by focusing their bombardment on the Nova music festival in the Re’im area, located in Israel’s western Negev desert. The surprise attack pounded the Israeli nation with thousands of rockets and was also carried out by a significant militant invasion by air, sea, and land.
The violent massacre by the armed Palestinian group and political movement in the Gaza Strip left 1,200 people dead and 251 others taken hostage. Israel’s military forces responded swiftly to the attack by sending Israeli warplanes, which pulverized Gaza City with relentless bombing, leaving parts of the city in ashes. The bloody war has continued for the last two years.
On Monday, however, Praise be to God, Israel and Hamas have officially agreed to the first phase of a peace deal where world leaders gathered in Egypt to sign the US-brokered peace deal document. Also, on Monday, Hamas released all 20 of the remaining living Israeli hostages, and Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Hamas has returned the remains of four deceased Israeli hostages; however, there are twenty-four other Israeli hostages’ remains that still need to be returned. Aid is now flowing into Gaza, and the Israeli military has finished an agreed-upon pullback to a pre-approved line in the Palestinian territory.
President Trump and his Administration have been widely commended by both friends and foes alike for their effectiveness in getting this peace deal signed, as it was no easy feat. President Trump’s involvement in brokering this deal highlights the important and influential role the United States continues to play on the global stage. There still remain many questions about the next phases in this important peace deal, and may we commit to praying for peace.
LET US PRAY…
Father, we praise You for the peace deal that has been reached and that Israel’s remaining hostages have been released. Lord, we thank You for President Trump and his Administration’s effective work to broker this Gaza peace deal. Father, please give wisdom to all the leaders involved in the next phases of this peace deal, so peace will prevail. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.