Tikkun Global
Jerusalem, Israel
The first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended. We still have approximately 24 hostages who may be alive in Gaza and 34 kidnapped or murdered dead bodies being held there.
It is not actually known how many of the hostages are still alive, although the statistics are becoming more clear with testimonies of recently released hostages. Many families have gone through this past year and a half in agony, not knowing if their loved ones are alive or dead.
It has become certain, however, that time is running out for those left behind, being deprived of food and basic hygiene, and of course medical care. Recently released hostage Eli Sharavi testified that he spent the entire last year in leg chains, deep under the ground, on a diet of less than 200 calories a day. It’s astounding that he even survived.
This week the first phase of the ceasefire has ended. If talks cannot salvage the second stage, we will immediately return to active war and the fate of the remaining hostages will be in jeopardy. Israel is not willing to pull out of the Egyptian border of Gaza where arms are smuggled in, or promise to end the war altogether.
Hamas, of course, is not willing to disarm and allow an outside coalition govern Gaza.
There is great anger and division in Israel over these extremely complicated and emotionally charged issues.
Please pray for:
Protection and strength for the remaining hostages
Wisdom for our government leaders to know which issues are non-negotiable and where to concede
Willingness of the enemy to accept the new conditions, albeit for the wrong reasons
Wisdom for Arab nations involved in negotiations to know how to pressure Hamas to cooperate
Protection against a renewed series of terrorist attacks spurred by the month of Ramadan which began this weekend
A solution to the growing concentration of terrorist activity in the West Bank territories
Protection for residents of our northern communities who returned to their homes this week under a shaky truce
The ability to rebuild the north, heavily damaged by the war with Lebanon
Wisdom to know how to approach the ‘new’ Syria and prevent it from military aggression
Protection and stamina for our soldiers, many of whom are young fathers, who have put an excessive amount of time into reserve duty this year
Healing for a new generation of injured Israelis, mentally and physically
That the extreme trauma of this war will lead our country to salvation, that all Israel will be saved
