Holy Land (MNN) — Tensions flare in the Holy Land as Hamas moves toward disarmament and clashes escalate in the West Bank.

Late last week, Hamas agreed – at least in principle – to the next step in a process that could end its military control of Gaza. The fragile agreement centers on Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal.

The biggest unresolved question remains which side acts first. Hamas reportedly wants Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza to occur alongside disarmament, while Israeli leaders insist that Hamas surrender its weapons before Israel withdraws.

Meanwhile, the West Bank remains highly unstable. More than 100 Israeli settlers marched on Palestinian villages on Friday, amid ongoing tensions following a July 24 confrontation that left four Palestinians and two Israelis dead.

Located near both Gaza and the West Bank, staff and students at Bethlehem Bible College see opportunities for peace amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
(AI photo created by Chat GPT)

On July 27, retired Israeli military leaders warned U.S. President Donald Trump of “consequences…even more catastrophic than the October 7 Hamas atrocities” if West Bank violence continued to escalate.

Located near both Gaza and the West Bank, staff and students at Bethlehem Bible College see opportunities for peace amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“We run a special program to create peace agents,” President Jack Sara says.

“One of our degrees is Peace and Justice, and we focus on this by helping the students to get tools to be peacemakers in such a context.”

Pursuing peace

Bethlehem Bible College equips Palestinian Christians to be the hands and feet of Jesus, speaking peace in a region full of hostility. Learn more here.

When Israel and Hamas went to war in 2023, believers responded immediately to urgent humanitarian needs.

Operating through the college’s charitable arm, believers “had to create different initiatives, including food distribution, medical help, and job creation opportunities,” Sara says.

“We were able to hire 200+ people over periods of three months, six months, to help in organizations and churches in the Bethlehem governorate, as well as in Gaza.”

Known as The Shepherd Society, this charitable organization gives Palestinian Christians and the global community an avenue to “respond to the Gospel’s call to love our neighbor and care for the poor” by helping struggling Palestinians.

Known as The Shepherd Society, this charitable organization gives Palestinian Christians and the global community an avenue to “respond to the Gospel’s call to love our neighbor and care for the poor” by helping struggling Palestinians.
(Photo courtesy of Bethlehem Bible College)

“We didn’t stop working since day one of the war. We’ve been helping with food distributions through our partner there (in Gaza), the churches,” Sara says.

“That had been [a] huge part of our ministry to our people, the Palestinians.”

Needs continue to grow

Needs and opportunities have only increased in the Holy Land since 2023. Renewed regional conflict has placed even greater pressure on families already struggling with displacement, unemployment, and limited access to basic necessities.

“Especially after the war with Iran, Bethlehem Bible College did not stop helping people,” Sara says.

“Our humanitarian work [has] continued at, I would say, 500% of what we used to do before because the need is so huge.”

You can help through The Shepherd Society. Most importantly, pray. Use the prompts listed alongside this article to guide your intercession.

 

Header image courtesy of Bethlehem Bible College.