Israel (MNN) — All 20 surviving hostages held by Hamas and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel now walk free, yet the future of Gaza remains uncertain.
In Israel, yellow ribbons are displayed — on trees, fences, car mirrors, clothing, and public landmarks — as a visible sign of support for the hostages and their families.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Brother Y, who serves with Global Catalytic Ministries, told MNN from Israel: “It’s a very, very complex scene with lots of emotions involved on all sides. Very few, though, are thinking that the war has ended.”
Some hostage families were horrified to see the physical state of their returned loved ones, while others grieved the loss of those they hoped to see alive.
“There’s mixed emotions there, but mainly joy and thankfulness for the American government and everybody who was instrumental in bringing the people back,” Brother Y says.
Most Israelis celebrated with the families of hostages who returned home alive yesterday, but the overall mood was bittersweet.
“I have personal connections – friends of my children, and children of my friends – both were kidnapped and assassinated or tortured and murdered from the Nova festival, etc.,” Brother Y says.
“I didn’t have anyone that came (home) alive, but I can feel their celebration. I can feel their joy.”
Simultaneously, “about 2,000 bona fide terrorists with gallons of blood on their hands were also released as part of the (ceasefire) deal,” he says, “so this is why I wasn’t emphasizing the joy.”
Monday’s exchange renewed international hope for ending the two-year war between Israel and Hamas. Supporters of the terrorist group, however, made “Quraysh treaty” their rally cry – “A time when, in the Quran, a covenant was broken,” Brother Y says.
“It was a temporary covenant to gain access and control, and then followed by a military conquest. They’re chanting this right now, basically saying, ‘We’ve gotten our reprieve. We’re going to come back bigger and stronger.’”
Pray for Gospel opportunities in the interim. “The prayer for believers is that God’s going to position His people – mature believers, praying believers, Gospel-focused, missions-minded believers – and that there’s going to be a wide-open door for the Gospel,” Brother Y says.
In the header image, Israel’s Teddy Stadium displays the words “Thank you President Trump” following a deal for hostage release and ceasefire in Gaza. (Wikimedia Commons)
