By Donnelly McCleland (with contributions from Gustav Krös and Gigi Kotze)
Today, 30 November, Israel and Hamas struck a last-minute agreement to extend their six-day ceasefire by one more day to allow negotiators to keep working on deals to swap hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners. As of late Wednesday (29 November), 70 Israelis and 27 hostages of other nationalities have been released. It has also resulted in 180 Palestinians being released from Israeli prisons, and hundreds of humanitarian trucks entering Gaza. Exchanging Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners has long been a practice in the Israeli-Arab conflict. The 70 Israeli hostages released thus far included only women and children, while the other freed nationalities included some men. The 180 Palestinians released included women and children (mostly teenage boys between 16 and 18 years), about 80% of whom have not yet been charged or tried (for offences ranging from throwing stones to attempted murder), and the large majority imprisoned under Israel’s “administrative detention” policy – a practice that allows Israel to jail Palestinians indefinitely without charge or trial. The release of these hostages and prisoners has resulted in widespread, joyous reunions on both sides. Emotions are tempered by the fact that there are still hostages being held in Gaza, and, according to a list compiled by Israel, Palestinians who are considered eligible for release, still in prison.
It took more than six weeks of negotiations to reach the temporary ceasefire – agreed to on Wednesday, 22 November, and implemented on Friday, 24 November. Shortly after Hamas’ attack on 7 October, the government of Qatar– a long-time intermediary between Hamas and Israel – reached out to the United States government to discuss how to secure the release of those who were taken captive by the militant group. In these hostage negotiations, Qatari mediators, joined by those from Egypt and the US, faced the arduous task of getting the warring sides to put faith in diplomacy when trust was almost non-existent. The small, gas-rich nation of Qatar walks a fine line to maintain relations with militant groups (some designated terrorist organisations) while preserving its close security ties with the United States. Qatar has hosted an overseas Hamas political office since 2012, allowing Qatar to wield some influence over the militant group’s decision-makers. When it appeared that the ceasefire deal was unravelling on Saturday, Qatari negotiators landed in Israel, the first public visit by Qatari officials to Israel, marking an extraordinary moment for the two countries, which have no official diplomatic relations. It also emphasised the major role the tiny emirate has in bridging differences between enemies.
According to analysts, despite tremendous differences, both Israel and Hamas have an interest in prolonging calm. While bigger questions mount over what happens after the war, a Qatari official who spoke to The Associated Press (AP) on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing negotiations says his country remains focussed on what’s immediately possible, like maintaining the ceasefire and preventing a regional war that could draw in Iran or Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants. “There is no conflict that began and ended on the battlefield,” Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, told AP on Monday (27 November). “Now, as hostages are being released and there are pauses in the fighting, we might be able to find a solution.”
The crucial role of diplomacy – the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups or individuals (National Geographic) – in forging a solution to the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, cannot be overemphasised. The initial, brutal attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, while the retaliatory strikes by Israel has killed about 14,000 Gazans. The appalling loss of life has seen the worldwide call for a permanent ceasefire growing ever louder. Even though we know from scripture (Zech 14:2) that the war around Israel will continue until Christ’s second coming, that does not mean that we shouldn’t be ambassadors for peace in the region. Justice and peace are two fundamental aspects of Christ’s character and should be vital elements when attempting to resolve such a deep-rooted conflict. If nations like Qatar, Egypt and the US can seek a resolution other than war, surely Christians should be at the forefront of such pursuits. But since we know that everlasting physical peace is not possible in this fallen world, and more specifically the war around Israel, our focus should be to bring spiritual peace to as many people’s hearts as possible. It begins by seeing others through Christ’s eyes, as people created in His image, despite how far we have all fallen from His glory. This most recent war has seen some of the most far-reaching divisions in society, families, and communities. The Church has not been spared as believers rally behind their Biblical interpretation of scripture. But in this, we cannot dehumanise those caught in this war, regardless of which side they are on. We should also not fall into the trap of trying to compare suffering, as there is widespread suffering on both sides. What would Christ have us do? Jesus is the Prince of Peace, there is none who can compare. True and lasting peace can only reign in this region when Hamas, Palestinians and Jews turns to Christ with all their hearts. Another way that the world can experience a foretaste of this peace is through the children of God as they offer a peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27). Because we have a responsibility as believers to be “peacemakers” in a world full of conflict and hatred, we need to be transformed through the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2), that we may discern His heart in the matter and what He expects of us. When Paul speaks of the renewing of our minds, it is intimating, having our preconceived ideas, prejudices, biases, and worldly views challenged, but that is precisely what we must do if we are to ever offer the kind of heavenly intervention Christ offers.
Please join us in praying for the following:
- For a permanent ceasefire which can lead to constructive diplomacy that will bring honour to the Lord
- For the Lord to pour His “balm of Gilead” – a spiritual and physical healing – over those impacted by this war
- For His children to be bearers of His peace, healing and reconciliation
