On Wednesday, Hamas political leader, Khaled Mashal, rejected a ceasefire and made clear in a speech in Qatar that Hamas does not intend to demilitarize:

 “We [Hamas] reject the cycle of a ceasefire and negotiations.  We rejected it today, and we will reject it in the future….No one will force us to lay down our weapons.”

 

Meanwhile, the European Union released this statement:

 The EU strongly condemns the indiscriminate firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas and militant groups in the Gaza Strip, directly harming civilians.  These are criminal and unjustifiable acts.  The EU calls on Hamas to immediately put an end to these acts and to renounce violence.  All terrorist groups in Gaza must disarm.

 

Even the Palestinian Authority appears to be calling for peace.  They have called for five days of ceasefire negotiations in Cairo.  However, they continue to support Hamas’s demand for the release of re-incarcerated Palestinian prisoners freed during the Gilad Shalit exchange.

In the midst of Hamas’s defiance, it appears Israel is gaining international support.  Let’s hope that remains the case so that Israel may continue to destroy terrorist tunnels, rocket launchers, ammunition depots, and terrorist headquarters so the Jewish people may live in peace.  However, the people of Gaza continue to be used as human shields.  Please continue to pray for their safety, the safety of Israeli troops in a very hostile environment, and the safety of Israeli citizens as rockets continue to be launched in their direction.

Be a prayer warrior, my friend!