[Today's Prayer] Israel-Hamas ceasefire expires this weekend... "Extension uncertain"

The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip war between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas is set to expire this weekend, and it is uncertain whether it will be extended, the US broadcaster CNN reported on the 25th (local time).

The first phase of the ceasefire that went into effect on January 19 lasted for six weeks (42 days), and unless an extension agreement is reached, the ceasefire will expire in early March. After that, the two sides will resume hostilities.

(Omitted)

The ceasefire agreement included a clause stating that 1,904 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would be released in exchange for the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas during the first six weeks of the first phase.

Under this provision, Hamas handed over six Israeli hostages and four bodies to Israel on February 22, but Israel unilaterally postponed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners scheduled for the same day.

According to Israeli media reports reported by the Associated Press, the prisoner exchange is expected to resume as early as the 28th, and the bodies of the four dead Israeli hostages will be returned, and the 620 Palestinian prisoners who were originally scheduled to be released will be released.

In this situation, Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, is scheduled to travel to the Middle East again this week.

He said that negotiations will be held in Doha, Qatar, or Cairo, Egypt, and that the focus of these negotiations will be "to fully launch Phase 2 and to release additional hostages."

Source: Yonhap News

I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11)

We hear that the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip war between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas is set to expire this weekend, and it is uncertain whether it will be extended.

Lord, please have mercy on the Palestinians and Israelis who are trembling in fear due to the uncertainty of whether the war will resume, as so many people have lost their lives and so many souls are in pain and suffering due to the war.

Also, please guide the Israeli hostages and 620 Palestinian prisoners who must have been trembling in fear from the terrible violence to be released safely.

We pray that you comfort the souls who have lost their families and friends in the war and are living in confusion, and protect them so that no more innocent lives are lost in this suffering.

In particular, please visit the land devastated by the long war and the hearts of Israelis and Palestinians, and may they look to Jesus Christ who will give them true peace, not political peace.

May churches rise up in Israel and Palestine first to unite and reconcile with the love and grace of Jesus, and may the whole world know you through the peace that will be restored to this land by hearing the prayers of the world church.

So may Israel and Palestine rise up as the last disciples who serve Jesus Christ and prepare the way for the Lord's return!