In Depth:  Israel

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The Middle East: Peace at last? A Christian perspective

The Middle East: Peace at last? A Christian perspective

Tim Farron
Tim Farron

Last week there was jubilation and relief as the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages were released from Gaza. In return, Israel released 250 Palestinian prisoners and a further 1,700 detainees. This is hopefully a first tentative step towards building a peace process in the Middle East.

Of course there are many issues still to be resolved – for example, how Gaza might be governed and what the proposed multinational "stabilisation force" might look like.

Gaza and the gospel

Gaza and the gospel

Russell Moore
Russell Moore

After two years of bloodshed since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, 2023, the war in Gaza seems to be over. The living hostages are back home, as President Donald Trump and Hamas and Israel hammered out in a cease-fire agreement.

In that, all of us can rejoice, even if the peace will be fragile—and even though wounds from the loss of so many innocent lives, both Gazans and Israelis, will take decades if not centuries to heal. Christians around the world might be tempted to think this matter is now over, at least for us. Gaza, though, has more to do with our own gospel story than we might think.

How should we feel about the Gaza ceasefire?

How should we feel about the Gaza ceasefire?

Dan Wells
Dan Wells

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.

Biblical synagogue breakthrough claim

Biblical synagogue breakthrough claim

James Patterson
James Patterson

Archaeologists in northern Israel believe they may have uncovered the remains of a first-century synagogue, a Biblical find labelled as possibly the most significant for decades.

The remains were found in Chorazin (or Korazin, among other possible spellings), an ancient settlement associated with the New Testament.

Gaza: New call for peace

Gaza: New call for peace

Luke Randall
Luke Randall

The war between Israel and Hamas must end and the oft-discussed “two-state solution” is “achievable” in the long term if built upon the rule of law, according to a Palestinian Christian journalist.

This month marks two years since the latest conflict between the two factions began and many have little hope that a resolution can be found. However, in an exclusive interview with en, award-winning Palestinian Christian journalist and writer Daoud Kuttab revealed that he believes there are ways to ensure Israelis and Palestinians can live alongside each other peacefully in the future.