8th September 2026

It was to be her first day at school but her schoolbooks were found among the bloodstained wreckage of the vehicle in which she travelled. A Palestinian girl and her father were killed on Sunday in an Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in Gaza City. Seven other Palestinians were wounded in two Israeli strikes in the Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Since the start of the so-called US-backed ceasefire over 270 Palestinian children have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip. Head-teacher of al-Mughayyir boys school, in the West Bank, told BBC reporters that he is scared and that, "The students are afraid, and their parents are afraid." The pupils will learn behind freshly installed barbed wire fencing and reinforced school gates.  14-year-old Aws al-Naasan, was shot dead by a settler outside the school gates in April, one of three pupils whose lives were taken by Israelis last school year. During the summer, two other pupils and a 19-year-old who had just left the school were shot dead by Israeli forces during settler attacks and incursions in the village.  A UN Commission of Inquiry published in June found that settler attacks "have instrumentalized children, as part of a broader coercive strategy to drive Palestinians off their land."  The report described "a pattern of settlers intentionally targeting Palestinian children" while they were playing near their homes, walking to and from school, tending to farms or herding livestock, "turning everyday spaces into sites of fear".  One father commented to reporters, "what do you do when settlers start shooting your kids?" Today, The UK government is expected to announce sanctions on goods and services from Israeli settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank. 

Loving God, forgive all who seek to create fear and terrorise children.  Forgive all who put children at risk and care little if they are caught in crossfire or the consequences of armed conflict.  Forgive all who use children as an instrument of war and oppression.  Comfort parents, siblings, teachers, and neighbours who mourn the deaths of their children.  We ask your protection for all children and that they will have the opportunity to learn in peace, without fear. We thank you for those who care for children, particularly when they are away from home. Move among the Israeli government, military commanders and West Bank settlers that they will have respect for human life.  Help them understand that each person is made in your image and remind them that you have taught us to love our neighbour and treat the foreigner who lives in alongside us as one of our native born.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Nine-year-old Harrison from Trowbridge, in the UK, set himself the goal of completing one parkrun every month during this year, covering a total of 60km (37 miles) to raise money for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance (WBAA). Harrison came up with the idea after his school was visited by one of the Air Ambulance's specialist trainers, who taught the children how to respond in medical emergencies. The training, known as Aware+, is delivered in communities and schools, giving people the knowledge and confidence to act in a medical emergency before an ambulance arrives. Aware+ trainer, Alex Winchcombe, was delighted that Harrison had felt inspired by the session. She commented, "Committing to run parkruns across the year is an incredible achievement for someone so young." Harrison has already raised £483 and hopes to double his original target of £250. "This challenge is really important to me, and I'm really enjoying it," Harrison said. "It's been brilliant to visit lots of different parkruns and really challenge myself and my running too."

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,

who was, and is, and is to come.

You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honour and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created and have their being.

Praise and glory

and wisdom and thanks

and honour and power and strength

be to our God for ever and ever.

Great and marvellous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed.

‘Hallelujah!

 For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

Selected verses from the Book of Revelation