A fragile calm returned to southern Israel Monday morning as the Islamist terror militia Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip and along with the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization launched a nearly 900 rockets and mortars into Israel over the weekend, declared a cease-fire from 4:30 AM. Four Israelis were killed by the rockets and nearly 250 others were wounded, while reports in the Strip said 23 people were killed and 60 wounded by Israel’s retaliatory strikes on terror infrastructure. An unconfirmed report said that the Palestinian terror factions in the Strip launched the barrage of rockets in an effort to disrupt the upcoming Eurovision song contest.

In the recent escalation in Gaza, Iran and its allies may have overplayed their hand. Indeed, there is a growing sense in Israel that the IDF must re-establish deterrence and send a clear message such that the gain/pain equation will be different this time. Israel wants all of Iran’s proxies – Hamas and Islamic Jihad – to fear another conflict.

Proverbs 17:17 declares that “a brother is born for adversity.” It is in times like these our practical work is also even more important than in times of peace. As Israel is facing these strenuous times, it is our responsibility as Christians to care for those who have become victims of this horrendous terror. Currently the ICEJ is working to provide Fire fighting equipment and tactical clothing for Israel’s first responders, bomb shelters for communities under fire and therapy sessions for those who have been traumatized by past attacks.