Israel/Gaza (MNN) — Hamas releases more hostages as Israel intensifies its airborne assault and Gaza’s death toll soars.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says Israeli airstrikes killed more than 700 people yesterday. It’s the highest 24-hour death toll since October 7, when Hamas militants slaughtered at least 1,300 Jewish civilians.
See our coverage of the Israel-Hamas war here.
Those who survive attacks in Gaza today have little hope for recovery. Gaza’s main hospitals are overflowing, and critical supplies remain beyond reach.
“We should never be thrilled, never be celebrating the loss of human life,” Samuel* with Redemptive Stories says, offering a biblical perspective on the cost of war.
“It’s life that’s lost without having the opportunity to come to true repentance, to [understand] who God is through Jesus Christ and what He did for us.”
Wounded Palestinians wait for treatment at the overcrowded emergency ward of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza on October 11, 2023.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas, and a pending ground invasion could expand the war across borders. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the escalating conflict and deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Simultaneously, the United States military announced possible evacuation plans amid increasing attacks from Iranian-backed militias in the region.
While political outlets “demonize” one side or the other, Samuel asks believers to consider a different viewpoint.
“The loss of life on both sides is horrific, and I don’t always feel like the Church in America [understands] the humanity of both sides of this equation,” Samuel says.
“Yes, we stand against Hamas [and] the atrocities committed. But we also should knowingly stand against some of the atrocities that Israel is currently committing [and the continued] loss of civilian lives,” he continues.
“We are plotting one side against another. But Jesus’s way was never about violence; it was never about ‘my country against your country.’ It was always about His Kingdom.”
As casualties “continue to escalate,” Samuel adds, “we should be praying for peace in this situation.”
Pray for an immediate end to the war. Pray that people will experience the love and hope of Christ as believers meet their needs in Gaza and Israel. Find more prayer resources here.
“There are believers in Jesus Christ [and] established churches on both sides of this conflict and have been for centuries. [Believers are] faithfully witnessing and walking with their neighbors through the midst of this violence; [believers] have stayed there to care for” those neighbors, Samuel says.
“The Church on both sides, I believe, would advocate for non-violence, to not escalate the situation.”
*Pseudonym
Header image depicts residential buildings destroyed during the first week of intensive bombing by Israeli aircraft. (Wikimedia Commons)
