Fear In Gaza

SANTA ANA, Calif. The situation in Gaza is deteriorating for the church and all Christians there. Contacts in Israel report that the situation in Gaza is very, very serious.

Threats by Islamic Militants
 
Islamic militants are creating a situation that verges on anarchy. They are targeting everything that is against their view of Islam. The group “the Sword of Islam” has sent death threat letters to female broadcasters on Palestine television. “We will cut throats, and from vein to vein, if needed, to protect the spirit and morals of this nation," the group said in a statement emailed to news agencies on Friday, June 1. Recently the shop of the Bible Society was bombed by the same group. Every Christian organization is a possible target for this group. It has become clear that they are searching actively for churches and believers in Gaza and harassing them. The same kinds of groups are also active in the West Bank.

Fear Is in Control
 
Several sources have confirmed the firm grip of fear created by Muslims militants over the society. They say that especially believers from a Muslim background are afraid to be discovered and killed by militant forces. Not many have the courage to have contact with other Christians. Fear is trying to creep in everywhere.

War Situation
 
Pressure comes from all directions. There is ongoing infighting between Palestinian groups. The Israeli army is shelling places they consider to be involved in terrorism activities. In both cases, everybody who is at the wrong place at the wrong time is at risk to be killed. The social and economic infrastructure has totally broken down.

Prayer
 
Pray for the suffering Christians in Gaza, that the Lord protects them and gives them wisdom and encouragement. Pray that they will not be controlled by fear, but by a God-given love for God and their neighbors. Pray that the political tension will cease and that Gaza will get a government that enables the whole church to prosper. Pray especially for the children.