Is There a Ceasefire in Gaza?

 

                                       Palestinians celebrate in the streets Gaza

Could it happen? Will there be a ceasefire and a release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, along with the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons? Will the relentless bombing of the Gaza Strip come to an end?

 We have been praying for all of this during the past two years and to be honest circumstances seem to have gotten progressively worse rather than better but it appears that an agreement -- a ceasefire, not a peace deal -- has been reached between Israel and Hamas. By the weekend the twenty hostages still alive could be home and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners reunited with their families. 

I have waited to write today because there is so much uncertainty with every effort to bring an end to the carnage. The first phase of the plan includes a cessation of Israel's relentless bombing and withdrawing from a portion of Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid for Gazans, many of whom are starving.The U.N.’s humanitarian agency plans to scale up food supplies provided across Gaza for hundreds of thousands once a cease fire is in place.  

We know that President Trump has pushed for this ceasefire and the United States has leverage. The latest word is that Trump will visit  Egypt and Israel on the weekend to consolidate the deal. I am no fan of Donald Trump, to say the least, but if his government ends the suffering and bloodshed I will applaud his efforts. 

There will be prayers of gratitude in the places of worship of several religions once the ceasefire takes hold. Those who are followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will give thanks, as will so many others. 

                                                   Israelis celebrate in Hostages Square, Tel Aviv