2nd November 2026

Yesterday, Israeli drone strikes killed eight Palestinians, including one four year old child and five police personnel, in Gaza City and Khan Younis. Israeli restrictions resulted in the number of commercial trucks entering the Gaza Strip to fall by 53.5% in October compared with September, having a devastating impact on  the supply of essential goods, and driving up prices in local markets. A ceasefire came into force in Gaza in October last year, but Israeli air strikes have continued almost every day. The British government have reported that during the current hostilities,  between 77 and 92% of residential units in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged making them unfit for habitation.  Gaza Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said about 200,000 worn-out tents sheltering hundreds of thousands of people, including children, women, and people with disabilities, offered inadequate protection from cold and rain. He also warned that more than 2,000 buildings were at risk of collapse, endangering families who had sought shelter in damaged or partially destroyed structures. 

Loving God, God of peace and hope, we bring to you the needs of our broken and hurting world.  Our hearts are broken as we hear the news from Gaza and try to imagine living in this place of devastation and death alongside lives torn apart by fear, terror death and destruction. We ask your loving care for all who grieve the death of those they love; for widows, orphans, and people disabled. We want to see an end to violence and warfare. We want to see tears of sadness turn to tears of relief and joy. Loving God we thank you for all who seek to bring humanitarian support to people trapped in the killing field of Gaza. Be their protection from physical and traumatic harm. Help us, loving God, to celebrate our common humanity, all people into whom you have breathed the breath of life, and to live as people made in your image called to love our neighbour. Amen.

An ordinary walk beside the river became a life-saving drama. Samer Jouha, is a father of three, a Syrian refugee and have lived in Evesham, UK for the past 8 years.  He was recently awarded a Chairman's Certificate of Commendation from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service after rescuing 80-year-old Wendy Snell when she fell into the River Avon. Samer and his wife were out walking near the river when they heard a loud drop. Samer ran over, looked, and saw a lady in the river. He immediately jumped in to the water to rescue her. The Chairman's Certificate of Commendation recognises Mr Jouha's courage and community spirit after he risked his own safety to help a stranger in danger. 

Psalm 150 (GNT)

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his Temple!

Praise his strength in heaven!

Praise him for the mighty things he has done.

Praise his supreme greatness.

Praise him with trumpets.

Praise him with harps and lyres.

Praise him with drums and dancing.

Praise him with harps and flutes.

Praise him with cymbals.

Praise him with loud cymbals.

Praise the Lord, all living creatures!

Praise the Lord!