[Today’s Prayer] Hamas: “There will be no release of hostages as long as the Israeli military continues to attack.”

(Johannesburg = Yonhap News) Correspondent Hyunmin Yoo = When the Israeli military pressured in on Hamas by taking control of the Rafah border checkpoint , Hamas countered, saying there would be no release of hostages unless military operations were halted.

According to Reuters on the 7th (local time), Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan warned at a press conference held in Beirut, Lebanon, "If Israel's military attack in Rafah continues, there will be no cease-fire negotiations (for the release of hostages)."

“Israeli military operations in Rafah cannot be a picnic,” he said, emphasizing that the recent ceasefire proposal agreed to by Hamas was “the bare minimum that meets the needs of our people and the resistance.”

He added, “The ball has now rolled over to Netanyahu” adding, “The Rafah border has always been and will continue to be the border between Egypt and Palestine.”

Earlier this morning, the Israeli military took control of the Gaza Strip side of the border checkpoint leading from Rafah to Egypt.

Meanwhile, Al Qahira News, an Egyptian state media outlet, reported that mediators from Qatar, the United States, and Egypt were discussing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip with the Hamas delegation in Cairo on this day.

Israel also announced on this day that it would dispatch a negotiation team consisting of mid-level officials to the ceasefire negotiation site in Cairo to understand Hamas' intentions in accepting the ceasefire proposal from the mediating countries.

John Kirby, U.S. White House national security communications adviser, also confirmed the resumption of negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release in the Gaza Strip in Cairo during an online briefing that day.

Source: Yonhap News

Lord, we hear that the Hamas would not let go of the hostages if the war continues.

But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.

Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. (Psalms 55:16-18)

Lord, on behalf of them, we cry out to you! Save them! The battle belongs to you. Even now, hear the agonizing sounds of those who suffer in the midst of war and death. Lord, save their lives and give them peace.

We want to see the true peace rest upon this land. By the blood of the cross of the Jesus Christ, may the season of Christ come upon this desolate land.

Hear the sound of those who seek and call to you, and save them by your righteous right hand!

Upon the authorities of Israel and Palestine, may you take away the spirit of division and pour out your heart.

We pray to see these people come back to their Lord our Father.

Lord, we hear that the Hamas would not let go of the hostages if the war continues.

Source: Yonhap News

But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. (Psalms 55:16-18)

Lord, on behalf of them, we cry out to you! Save them! The battle belongs to you. Even now, hear the agonizing sounds of those who suffer in the midst of war and death. Lord, save their lives and give them peace.

We want to see the true peace rest upon this land. By the blood of the cross of the Jesus Christ, may the season of Christ come upon this desolate land.

Hear the sound of those who seek and call to you, and save them by your righteous right hand!

Upon the authorities of Israel and Palestine, may you take away the spirit of division and pour out your heart.

We pray to see these people come back to their Lord our Father.