Gaza: Christians continue to serve
Iain Taylor
The appalling death and destruction inflicted by both sides during the current Israel/Hamas conflict in the Middle East has horrified the world. But even amidst the carnage and destruction so visible on our TV screens day after day, churches and Christian organisations are bringing help and hope to the region, even though they too have also become intended or accidental targets of the violence.
Christian TV station SAT-7, which broadcasts across the Middle East, reports that shelling caused severe damage to a new cancer ward at the Anglican Church-funded Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. An explosion in its courtyard, thought to have been caused by a misfired Gazan missile, killed almost 500 people sheltering there. The hospital continues to operate as best it can, however, and has been accepting patients from other besieged hospitals that have had to stop working.
How should we feel about the Gaza ceasefire?
The first sign was a hand-written note and a whisper in the ear of the American President. Indirect negotiations between Israel and Palestine had yielded fruit. Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for peace in the Middle East could be the basis for a serious and lasting end to the conflict in Gaza.
It came two years and two days after the incident that started the war: Hamas’ devastating attack on 7 October 2023 that killed over a thousand Israelis. As Israel then attacked and invaded the Palestinian territory of Gaza, it has resulted in many thousands more deaths. The war has also led to a humanitarian crisis within Gaza leaving people without food, shelter and clean water.