Restarting Negotiations?

As fighting in the Middle East rages on, Secretary of State Blinken says ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel will resume.

During his 11th trip to Israel since the war began, Blinken said Israel has accomplished the objective of “effectively dismantling” Hamas and that negotiations—which stalled over the summer—will continue “in the coming days.” It is not clear whether Hamas is ready to engage after the recent death of its leader; neither side has expressed willingness to soften its demands.

And the fighting isn’t letting up. Palestinian medical officials say a strike in central Gaza yesterday killed 17 people (mostly women and children) in a school-turned-shelter. Israel says it was targeting Hamas militants hiding among civilians.

This week, Israel also reported killing the Hezbollah official next in line to be the Lebanon-based terrorist group’s leader.

__

RADIATE HOPE
Believers have hope in the midst of darkness because Emmanuel is present with us. Our Living God has removed the sting of death so that it’s powerless against those who love him.

“‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work.” 
1 Corinthians 15:54-58 (CSB) (read full passage)