29th May 2026

This morning we provide two quotes about the situation in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at a conference on yesterday said: "We are currently squeezing Hamas; we now control 60% of the territory of the Strip - you know this. We were at 50, we moved to 60. My directive is to move to," and then he was interrupted by someone in the crowd shouting, "100". Netanyahu continued, "Let's go step by step. First of all, 70. Let's start with that. We're pressing them from all sides, we'll deal with the remnants."

BBC report Jeremy Bowen stated on BBC radio this morning, a quote from the UK Acting Ambassador to the UN in New York, regarding conditions in Gaza.  “Children are living amid sewage, parasites and disease. We are horrified by the images of newborn babies with rat bites on their faces. UN reports widespread infestations that are affecting almost 1.5 million people. The Israeli government’s indefensible restrictions on the entry of essential humanitarian equipment and supplies are making it impossible to provide minimum standards of sanitation and water supplies.”

Loving God, our hearts break as we pray for Gaza.  We cry with the women, men and children at grave risk of malnutrition and death.  For new-born children whose first experience of your wonderful world is to be bitten by rats.  We are horrified that human beings can cause such hurt and destruction of hospitals and schools, homes and workplaces.  We are dismayed that so much instability and chaos, ruin and despair, desolation, tears, upon tears, upon tears, can be a deliberate policy of any government upon people living in its country. Father, this is all so far from the thriving shalom of your good rule and reign.  This doesn’t look like the outcome of our pray that your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Forgive us that that our words are empty and not followed by our actions.  May the the good news Jesus proclaimed in that land be manifest in love shown be one person to another. Help us as we pray words of peace, justice and hope over the people and place of Gaza, Amen.

This prayer is  an adaptation of a prayer by David Smyth

from the Evangelical Alliance.

Mighty Convoy is a non-profit group raising funds to buy second-hand ambulances and 4×4 trucks that are loaded with aid. Every month they make a 2,400 mile round trip from London to Lviv, Ukraine. The trucks are driven by pensioners, businessmen and ex-forces volunteers. A convoy of second-hand Renault and Peugeot ambulances as well as 4×4 Toyota Hilux pick-up trucks make the journey to provide aid to hospitals, frontline medics and orphans in war-torn Ukraine.  Mighty Convoy has delivered over 100 vehicles including 70 ambulances, 28 pick-up trucks, and four ex-Iceland delivery vans. A spokesman for the organisation said that “We know our vehicles save lives. The Ukrainians are telling us that." He added: “If the war does drag on, we will still be here. We’re committed to support Ukraine as long as they need us."

You can find out more about Mighty Convoy here.

Father God, we rejoice for you are King.

We adore you.

We lift up our hearts and voices to sing your praises

You are the God of truth and love.

Your Son, Jesus Christ has taken away our sin.

You have given him the keys of death and hell.

He reigns with you over earth and heaven.

We rejoice that you live within your people

by the power of your Holy Spirit.

We rejoice that Jesus will come to judge the world

and that he leads all his faithful people

to their eternal home.  Amen.