No Deal

Israel and Hamas reportedly don’t share American negotiators’ optimism for a ceasefire in Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken says Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu has agreed to the U.S.’s latest “bridging proposal” for a ceasefire and called on Hamas to do the same, but Hamas says the proposal caters to Israel.

There are three major sticking points:

• Hamas wants a permanent end to the war; Israel wants to start with a temporary ceasefire

• Israel wants control of the Gaza-Egypt border; Hamas wants a full Israeli withdrawal

• Israel wants to screen Palestinians returning to northern Gaza; Hamas wants free movement within the enclave

Meanwhile, the families of hostages continue to press for a deal. One hundred nine hostages, both alive and dead, remain in Gaza. The IDF retrieved the remains of six hostages early yesterday morning.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Join us in prayer for lasting peace, confident that God is able to spread across the globe the peace that he has given to those who trust him (Isaiah 26:3).

“Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” – Book of Common Prayer, page 654