Israel (MNN) — Israeli forces raided the al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza this week, killing dozens and taking over 160 suspected terrorists back to Israel for interrogation.
In our continued look at the Israel-Hamas war from a Christian perspective, believers from a Jewish background tell Tom Doyle of Uncharted Ministries, “It’s still chaos in Israel because of Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north, the terrorist groups that are still attacking.”
See yesterday’s story about the Palestinian Christian perspective.
A home in Kibbutz Nir Oz after the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. In the October 7, 2023 surprise attack on the Gaza border communities, Hamas either killed, injured or abducted about one quarter of the 400 residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Israel-Hamas war began five months ago when Hamas militants raided Jewish communities in southern Gaza. At least 1,200 people lost their lives, while Hamas took roughly 250 hostages. They’re still holding at least 100 people captive today.
“There’s a lot of upheaval to the Jewish community,” Doyle says. “There is so much trauma; marriages need counseling, and children need counseling. So many of them even saw their parents die, and now they’re with an aunt or an uncle.”
Meanwhile, hope remains but is fading quickly for the hostages who remain alive today.
“There are still nine Americans in Gaza who are hostages. We’re not hearing anything about them; pray for the hostages to be released,” Doyle requests.
Pray the Lord will accomplish His will and purposes through this evil situation. “In one of the most horrific trials Israel’s ever been through, some good has come out of it,” Doyle says.
“Many [Jewish people] are believing in God and even turning to Jesus as Savior and asking questions. As sad as this situation was, God’s working, and both sides are more open to faith in Christ.”
This openness is significant because “many Jews in Israel – because of the Holocaust, terrorist attacks over the decades, and all the wars – have abandoned a belief that there is a God. We would hear this often from Jews: ‘I cannot believe there is a God. During the Holocaust, we cried out to Him; where was He?’” Doyle continues.
“But through this October 7 [attack], former agnostics and atheists are talking about God. They see their very survival as a testimony that there is a God.”
Along with prayer, consider taking further action. “Go on a trip with us,” Doyle suggests.
“We’re doing goodwill trips where we reach out in Israel to Jewish people to Palestinian people, show them that we love them and are concerned about them.”
Contact the Uncharted team here to learn more.
Header image depicts the hand marks of Israeli citizens murdered by immolation during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. (Wikimedia Commons)
