This is a ceasefire? Yesterday and even today, there continues to be heavy bombing in Gaza, killing at least 86 persons, and you can expect that there will be more tomorrow. What’s the point? The term that Jesus applied to Herod holds for Netanyahu, who postponed a cabinet meeting to approve the deal.
Meanwhile, on the West Bank that the Israeli government calls Judea and Samaria, settlers held in “administrative detention” for their violent attacks on Palestinian villages, will be released as part of the government’s plan to encourage settlements – read, more attacks on Palestinians.
Of course, we really don’t know the full extent of the damage in Gaza since Israel has banned foreign journalists and the army has systematically murdered dozens of Gazan journalists. Gazans able to communicate with the outside world fear that once the hostages are released, the bombing will start again.
Prayer for the Day
Cries of mourning reach the heavens, O God,
Asking, “Where are you?” as women and children die;
Bodies in shrouds wait, no longer witnesses to horror,
Their lives only memories to their families.
Bring peace, O Lord, bring respite from constant death,
And help us move beyond hate and fear.
In the name of the One who is a voice for peace,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
We are waiting for news of the official ceasefire as if we are waiting for the moon to rise, dispelling the darkness of the night, where there is no electricity or life.
Ashraf Ahmed Fuaaad, father of three children, sitting in the bitter cold
I am still not optimistic, and I feel that we will be betrayed and the ceasefire will be cancelled, even after signing the deal. I am very scared that after Israel got their prisoners, the war would return. I am afraid that it will fail. I hope with all my heart, pray to Allah sincerely that it will succeed.
Eman, medical student, 19, in Jabaliya, blockaded and bombed.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
Who brings good news, who announces salvation,
Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Isaiah 52: 7