[Today’s Prayer] Death Toll From Israel–Hezbollah Armed Conflict Surpasses 3,000

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health announced on the 18th (local time) that the number of deaths in Lebanon caused by armed clashes between Israel and the pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah has exceeded 3,000.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health explained that amid a fragile ceasefire agreement and ongoing fighting, the cumulative death toll has risen to 3,020 since March 2, when Hezbollah declared its participation in Iran’s war effort.

Among the dead were 292 women and 211 children.

After Iran’s former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah declared its involvement in the war on March 2 and launched a preemptive attack against Israel.

Afterward, Israel invaded southern Lebanon under the justification of eliminating the security threat posed by Hezbollah and carried out bombings throughout Lebanon, including the capital city of Beirut.

Hezbollah, which is also a powerful political force within Lebanon, has strongly resisted widespread pressure from the Lebanese government and others demanding that it disarm.

As Lebanon’s territory came under invasion due to Hezbollah’s involvement in the war, the Lebanese government entered direct talks with Israel through U.S. mediation.

So far, there have been two ambassador-level meetings, and beginning on the 17th of last month, a ten-day ceasefire was initiated. In addition, on the 15th, the U.S. State Department announced that both sides agreed to extend the suspension of hostilities for another 45 days to allow further progress toward a peace agreement.

However, even during the ceasefire, armed clashes between Israeli forces entering southern Lebanon and Hezbollah have continued without interruption.

Joseph Aoun, the President of Lebanon, who had previously refused U.S. President Donald Trump’s request to meet directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated on this day that he would do even the impossible to stop the war.

Source: Yonhap News

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.” (Psalm 73:28)

We hear the heartbreaking news that amid a fragile ceasefire agreement, the Israeli military intervened in order to eliminate the security threat posed by Hezbollah in Lebanon, but as Hezbollah resisted the Lebanese government’s demand for disarmament, the number of deaths in Lebanon has surpassed 3,000, including hundreds of women and children.

God, hear the cries of the Lebanese souls who have suffered under Hezbollah’s oppression and lost hope in life, and may You have mercy on them.

As the unresolved problem between Lebanon and Hezbollah has become even more chaotic with the intervention of the Israeli military, may the true shalom that belongs to Jesus Christ come upon both peoples. May Israel and Lebanon become nations that take refuge in our God and proclaim His works to all the nations.

Also, may the global church hear the news of the war between Israel and Hezbollah and pray together. May the local churches in Lebanon rely on Jesus Christ, who gives true shalom even in the midst of war, and rise up as churches that proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth while partnering together in ministry.

And so, may Israel and Lebanon become nations that proclaim the victory of Jesus Christ, our refuge, to all nations and prepare the way for the Lord’s return.