Israel (MNN) — After 11 months of tit-for-tat rocket fire, tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are building into something more. On Monday and Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed more than 500 people. Hezbollah has fired rockets back at Israel, with no immediate casualties reported.
This escalation comes nearly a week after communications devices used by Hezbollah exploded in Lebanon, killing more than 30 and wounding thousands.
(Rockets overhead being shot down by Iron Dome. Photo courtesy of Sigulim family.)
“I was on the phone with my family last night because rockets are flying in the north, and I’m from the north,” says Zev Sigulim with MegaVoice. Sigulim has served as a reservist in the Israel Defense Forces, or IDF.
“At this point, I keep praying. I hope things just resolve. Deep down inside, I’m always hoping for peace.”
Sigulim says his children’s school has been canceled and moved to Zoom. “It’s reminiscent of the [coronavirus] days, and you don’t really know how to plan,” he says.
Although requests for MegaVoice audio Bibles are coming in, Sigulim says Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have led to supply chain issues and potential delays in Bible distribution.
“We are getting many requests for audio Bibles to be distributed amongst the soldiers and with displaced families, and also for the other side,” Sigulim says. “We’ve had projects for both sides.”
Prayer is the best response right now. Sigulim points to Psalm 122 which says to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Believers in the Middle East and across the world need Great Commission focus throughout this unfolding conflict.
“Pray for unity in the Body of Christ. If we can keep our eye on the goal of spreading the gospel, unity in Jesus and focusing on being witnesses to our neighbors, then our efforts become much more effective,” Sigulim says.
Header photo is a representative stock photo courtesy of Taylor Brandon via Unsplash.
