On the eve of the ceasefire, SAT-7 ARABIC’s program You are Not Alone dedicated a special episode to those living within the Holy Land conflict and shared examples of Christian love in the midst of turmoil.
“When a rock hits a house, we run to help the survivors and the injured. Our morale is very low, but we will be strong. We love life and want to live,” shared Ammar Kaskeen, a local resident who was trying to help survivors, on the program.
The past 11 days saw escalations of violence in Israel and Palestine not seen since 2014.
“Forty percent of the injured are women and children,” shared Dr Mohammed Abu Mughaiseeb, Deputy Medical Coordinator of Doctors Without Borders in Gaza. “We face difficulties moving about because of the persistent missile strikes. One hit the streets next to our clinic, causing partial damage. We donated the medical supplies we had in storage to hospitals, and our team outside of Gaza are trying to provide us with more.”
Gaza is a small territory of 227 square miles with no airport, seaport, or way in or out for most of its two million inhabitants. It has been described as the world’s largest open-air prison. So, when such hostilities begin there is nowhere for the innocent to run to, no place to hide.
Since the escalation of hostilities began, SAT-7 ARABIC has been broadcasting prayers and hearing from viewers across the Arabic-speaking world.
“I pray at this time Lord that you will give consolation, grace, and mercy. Lord, You can stop this violence. You are capable of everything and there’s nothing that You can’t do. Our trust in You, Lord, is great. You can do that in Jesus’ Name,” prayed Pastor Jack Sara, President of Bethlehem Bible College in Palestine and Pastor of the Alliance Church in the Holy Land.
“As the violence stops, families are once again counting the cost – in lives, in livelihoods, and homes,” shares SAT-CEO Rita El Mounayer. “There are young people looking at the destruction around them, in mourning, angry and frightened. This is when they are at their most vulnerable – when their fear and anger is nurtured into hatred of the other community. This is why youth programs are critical in this region. These young people need to know Christian values of love, hope, and reconciliation and to trust that the Holy Spirit can bring them peace and help them to make a choice to love, not to hate as they grow and become the leaders of their communities.”
Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, millions have died or been injured or traumatized in the past decade in the wars and civil unrest. Many of these highly concerning situations continue – especially the ongoing tragic situation for millions in northern Syria and in Yemen.
Please continue to pray for all those who were lost across Israel and Palestine and for the families caught up in fighting around the MENA, for the displaced, the injured and the families of those who have been killed.
