Since President Trump’s inauguration, peace among nations and people groups has been at the forefront of foreign policy and the administration has done an admirable job in bringing hot wars and conflicts to an end. Alongside Israel, flare-ups in the Middle East have been met with force.

One sticking point has been an end to the war in Gaza, where negotiating with bad actors seems to have played out. American Middle East envoy and chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff,  and his team have been recalled from Doha. After weeks of dribbling unworkable conditions and denying any legitimate conditions from Israel, Hamas has sent a strong and clear message: we will not release hostages and we refuse to lay down our weapons.

In response, before boarding Air Force One headed for Scotland, President Trump finally gave a full green light for Israel to do what is necessary to end the war in Gaza.  (Trump: “Hamas is out of anything related to negotiations. Hamas does not want to make a deal…they want to die. We need to fight and get rid of them.”)

The ball is now squarely in PM Netanyahu’s court. Fighting for his political life, this may be his chance to finally give frustrated Israelis what they clamor for: an end to the fighting and loss of soldiers.

Nothing is ever as easy as it seems, as hostages will surely be used as human shields. Common sense says Israel almost assuredly has plans for special operations to rescue the hostages, but it comes at great risk.

For the sake of all of Israel, let’s turn our hearts toward the God who saves and plead His mercy, favor and supernatural wisdom and courage to do what is necessary to bring an end to the war.

Meanwhile, the last gasp efforts of Hamas play out in the media where they have flooded the airwaves with pictures and stories of starvation in Gaza. Unfortunately, there is a hunger issue. However, be careful of the narrative you believe. Dozens of truckloads of food and aid enter Gaza every single day via both the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and the UN. While GHF (a non-governmental entity) risks their lives to provide and distribute food, the UN, working in conjunction with Hamas, refuses to distribute their loads. Currently, about 950 food trucks inspected and approved by Israel are rotting at one of the crossings inside Gaza. Hamas would rather starve their own citizens than give up arms and hostages for peace.

This needs to end. May Netanyahu pick up the mantle and, by the grace of God, do what is necessary to end it.  Prayer warriors, to your stations!