THE GAZA STRIP

We must all be horrified at the outbreak, yet again, of fighting between Israelis and Palestinians, the violence on both sides and particularly the devastating bombing of the Gaza Strip. Viewing it on our television screens can desensitise us to its effect on individual families at whom the bombs and missiles are being hurled.

Some of us will recall a moving evening with Yara Eid back in August 2018. Yara was born and brought up in the Gaza Strip and then won a scholarship to study International Relations at Edinburgh University. She is now in her 3^rd year funded by a host of generous supporters including some from our Together in Christ fellowship.

The effect on her of the hostilities is heart breaking. Not having been able to see her family and friends for years she now dreads watching her homeland being destroyed, not knowing if her family has been killed or has survived for another 24 hours.

Please, if you can watch her 15^th May post on Youtube (just search Yara Eid) and her Instagram post www.instagram.com/tv/CO6iw7PAa1R/?igshid=t1o1lodbnqze2v

Then please pray for her and her family; for all in Gaza and in Israel affected by the bombs and missiles; for the leaders of the factions involved and for World leaders trying to bring about an immediate ceasefire as a base for a just and lasting solution.

Robert Avis