Gaza war worries regional leaders as Ramadan approaches

Gaza (MNN) — Senior US and Israeli leaders are meeting in Washington this week to discuss the Gaza crisis. The US began humanitarian aid drops this weekend in the latest attempt to alleviate suffering.

Hamas officials have not agreed to a temporary ceasefire that Israel signed off on, so the war rages on, sending ripple effects throughout the region.

“Remember that whatever is happening in Gaza is affecting not only the surrounding countries but also the whole Middle East – Yemen, Dubai, Jordan, Egypt,” Fadi Sharaiha with the MENA Leadership Center says.

“All over the Arab world, people are feeling it.”

(Photo courtesy of ErikaWittlieb/Pixabay)

The timing of Israel’s potential expansion into Rafah has several Middle Eastern leaders on edge. Ramadan – the Islamic month of fasting – begins on March 10the same day Israel vows to begin its assault on Rafah.

Christians are not immune from the regional tension. “This is also affecting the mental health and the spiritual health of Christian leaders,” Sharaiha says.

“Christians are anxious in the region because this is not over yet. The whole thing is a mess, so people are anxious, especially in Lebanon, because they’re not sure what is next.”

Elon Local News, March 18, 2024

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Palestinian Christians spot silver lining to Gaza war

Gaza (MNN) — Today, we begin a special two-part look at the Israel-Hamas war from a Christian perspective.

Uncharted Ministries partners with believers on both sides of the conflict. Co-founder Tom Doyle says Palestinian Christians are suffering in Gaza. “They’re just not getting the food; maybe little bits, but hardly anything,” Doyle says.

“Even though Israel is sending the trucks in, Hamas is taking them over, and sadly, they’re (Hamas) getting all the food. People aren’t getting much.”

The UN says famine is “imminent” in Gaza, where over one million people face “catastrophic hunger.” Several countries send food into the Strip through alternative methods, including airdrops and sea ​​routes.

“Gaza is very tightly confined. Pray that they (Palestinian Christians) survive; that they get food [and] water,” Doyle says.

“Uncharted has been privileged to send in both through some of the ministries we work with, and thankfully, it did get in.”

Believers see a silver lining to the war raging around them. “The terrorist groups that have caused so many problems for their own people [are leading] Muslims to look elsewhere,” Doyle notes.

“There is a new openness to the Gospel [among] Muslims who are tired of the wars, they’re tired