From Israel

Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages yesterday. 

The hostages—including one Israeli-American—were found in a tunnel under Rafah, near the Egyptian border. The six were apparently killed “in the last few days.” Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu requested “forgiveness” for not bringing the hostages home alive, and President Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” at the news. 

Frustrated with failed negotiations for the captives’ freedom, thousands protested outside of the Israeli Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem yesterday, and Israel’s largest labor union called for a nationwide strike today. 

Meanwhile, both Israel and Hamas have agreed to staggered pauses in fighting throughout Gaza as international healthcare workers attempt to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio in a matter of days; Gaza reported the first case of the highly contagious disease in 25 years last month.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Christians should be committed to praying for world leaders to be wise and to work towards peaceful resolutions while simultaneously placing our hope in God, not government.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)