What’s happening in Israel and Gaza, and how should Christians pray?

The murder and kidnappings of civilians by the terrorist group Hamas have been described as “Israel’s 9/11”. Journalist Gavin Drake is a frequent visitor to Israel and Gaza. He explains what has taken place, what might happen next, and how Christians should be praying

This weekend’s surprise attack by Hamas came as Jews in Israel, and around the world, marked the shabbat, or sabbath, at the conclusion of Sukkot, a major biblically-mandated Jewish harvest festival. Sukkot is a time of joy and family gatherings that comes hard on the heels of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar, and Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

It is no understatement to say that Israel was unprepared for the attack. The country and its residents are used to rocket fire from Gaza and sporadic outbreaks of violence; but this is on a different level. For the first time, Hamas fighters managed to break out of the Gaza strip, and roam around Israeli towns, murdering civilians and taking as many as 100 hostages back to the Gaza strip. Recognised as a terrorist organisation by the UK and the US, Hamas have not targeted soldiers, but civilians. A wheelchair bound Holocaust survivor is thought to be among the captives.