January 31st News Bulletin

A freed Palestinian prisoner waves as he arrives in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Israelis and Palestinians rejoice after more hostages and prisoners are freed

AP News

"Eight more hostages were freed from the Gaza Strip by Hamas-led militants on Thursday in a sometimes chaotic process that briefly delayed Israel’s release of 110 Palestinian prisoners and underscored the fragility of the ceasefire that began earlier this month. The exchange of hostages for prisoners is a key part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas. Fifteen hostages and hundreds of prisoners have been released so far, and militants still hold dozens more hostages abducted in their Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war."

A man walks next to an Israeli military vehicle, in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta.

Israeli troops to remain in Jenin refugee camp, defence minister says

Reuters

“Israeli troops will remain in the Palestinians' Jenin refugee camp once the large-scale raid they launched last week is complete, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday as a crackdown in the occupied West Bank extended into a second week. Hundreds of Israeli troops backed by helicopters, drones and armoured vehicles have been fighting sporadic gunbattles with Palestinian militants while carrying out searches in the streets and alleyways for weapons and equipment."

Displaced Palestinians waiting to be allowed to return to their homes on Sunday. Stringer/Reuters

Palestinians finally returning to devastated northern Gaza after ceasefire dispute delay

CNN

“Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning home to northern Gaza on Monday, bracing for what awaits them in a region that has been reduced to rubble by months of brutal bombardment and fighting. Israel opened a corridor into the north of the Gaza Strip on Monday, 48 hours later than initially planned. It blamed the delay on Hamas, saying the militant group breached the terms of the ceasefire agreement that guaranteed people would be able to return to the north.”

UNRWA's presence in Gaza was crucial in getting humanitarian supplies to civilians during 15 months of war.

Israel's looming UNRWA ban a catastrophe, UN Palestinian refugee agency warns

BBC

“As Israel prepares to outlaw the main UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Thursday, there are warnings that it could undermine vital aid delivery and long-term chances of peace. Israeli officials have not spelt out how they will enforce the legislation passed last year by Israel's parliament, which accused Unrwa of being complicit with Hamas - an allegation the agency denied. "It will be a catastrophe if this ban takes place," says Juliette Touma, communications director of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).”

Humanitarian Snapshot #9

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), along with dozens of international humanitarian organizations, urgently calls upon the international community to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This comes as findings reveal the failure to implement critical provisional measures outlined by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) a year ago, resulting in unprecedented suffering among Palestinians.

January 28, 2025: Beyond the Ceasefire: Peace and the Continuing Struggle for Justice in Israel-Palestine

Determine Truth

On January 28, 2025, Rev. Dr. Rob Dalrymple hosted a DetermineTruth webinar with Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Palestinian lawyer and human rights advocate Jonathan Kuttab, and scholar Daniel Bannoura. They discussed the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire and its implications for a just and lasting peace, questioning whether it signals progress or merely a pause in hostilities. While the bombing of Gaza has stopped, its effects will haunt Palestinians and Israelis for generations. The panel also examined Israel’s and the U.S.'s intentions behind the ceasefire and the challenges of building a future rooted in peace and justice. Emphasizing the church’s unique call to lead with love and compassion, they urged the global church to speak truth and advocate for justice, especially for those traumatized by the past 16 months.

From Boston to Bethlehem

Radio Open Source

Listen to Rev. Liz Walker’s powerful reflections on her journey to Palestine, invited by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP). In this interview, she grapples with the deep trauma present in the region and discusses how her grassroots community program, Can We Talk?, addresses mental health challenges, particularly trauma. Through storytelling and dialogue, she highlights the urgent need for healing and understanding.

Sunday Service First Church Amherst January 26, 2025

On Sunday, our programs and outreach manager, Destiny Magnett, joined First Congregational UCC in Amherst, MA to deliver a guest sermon and lead a post-worship conversation about current events and our call to Christian witness in the Middle East. Destiny’s sermon, based on the text from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 called worshippers to adopt an expansive idea of what unity can mean, moving beyond relationships with those like us and towards a world where we love actively across differences.

Interested in hosting a CMEP speaker at your church? Reach out to info@cmep.org

Destiny Magnett of Outreach spoke at a program on Dec. 12 at Good Shepherd Church in Shawnee, covering the history of the Middle East region and the current conflict. LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD.

Speaker lays out the history and complexity of the Middle East

Destiny Magnett of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) spoke at Good Shepherd Church about the deep history and complexity of the Middle East. She emphasized the sacredness of the land to multiple faiths, the emotional weight of the conflict, and the need for peace and justice for both Palestinians and Israelis. Her faith-based perspective resonated with attendees, encouraging deeper understanding and engagement.

CMEP's 2025 Advocacy Summit Washington, D.C. March 19-20, 2025

Join Churches for Middle East Peace in Washington, DC at our annual Advocacy Summit March 19-20th, 2025. Day one of the summit, Wednesday, March 19th will include remarks from several expert speakers, updates from CMEP staff, and advocacy training. On Day Two, Thursday, March 20th, you will have the opportunity to put all you've learned into action on Capitol Hill, as you meet with the offices of your senators and representatives. 
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent" (Acts 18:9)
This year, our Advocacy Summit recognizes the tremendous work our constituents and coalitions have done to speak out for justice and calls upon each of us to "keep on speaking" and working for a just peace for all people in the Holy Land. 

CMEP Pilgrimage to Peace (P2P) tour in Colorado and Texas

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) will be visiting Colorado from February 9-12 and Texas from February 14-17 as part of our ongoing Pilgrimage to Peace (P2P) tour! We’re excited to engage with you about peacebuilding and advocacy related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These conversations are especially relevant in the wake of ongoing violence and instability in the region.

We’ll release more details soon. Events can range from guest sermons, lunch-and-learn discussions, and Bible studies to roundtable clergy gatherings or student visits. Together, we’ll explore what it means to pursue peace and advocate for justice in the Holy Land and beyond. Stay tuned for updates, and we hope to see you there!

CMEP Wednesday Prayers for Peace

Churches for Middle East Peace invites you to pray for peace in light of recent events in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories. Every Wednesday, 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm Eastern via Zoom.

 Live Thursday News Briefings

Please join us on Zoom for a weekly briefing on current news regarding the Hamas and Israel War. Hear from CMEP Staff and other experts. Every Thursday 10:00 am - 10:30 am Eastern. You can watch the most recent live briefing from January 16 concerning the ceasefire agreement HERE. If you want to see more of these be sure to attend live every Thursday!

A Palestinian child returns to northern Gaza on Jan. 29, 2025. Photo: Khalil Ramzi Alkahlut/Anadolu via Getty Images

Exclusive: Trump Middle East envoy says rebuilding Gaza could take 10 to 15 years

Axios

“White House envoy Steve Witkoff told Axios in an interview at the end of his trip to the Middle East that rebuilding Gaza could take between 10 and 15 years. Why it matters: The Trump administration wants to see the ceasefire continue and Gaza stabilized so it can move forward with its ambitious plans for the Middle East, which include getting a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel and trying to get a deal with Iran on its nuclear program. The administration is working on concluding implementation of the first phase of the deal between Israel and Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire.
But the White House is already thinking about the next phases of the agreement and a plan for reconstructing Gaza, which has been decimated by Israeli airstrikes and ground operations during 15 months of war.” 

Capitol Hill.

Senate Dems take down ICC sanctions bill amid fury over Trump funding freeze 

The Hill

“Senate Democrats revolted on Tuesday following the Trump administration’s sweeping freeze on federal aid by tanking a vote to sanction the International Criminal Court and promising there might be similar moves to come if the White House does not change its tune in short order. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were blindsided by the administration’s freeze on aid that included disbursements of grants and loans. “

An Israeli flag flies next to destroyed buildings in Southern Lebanon, as seen from Northern Israel. Sunday January 26, 2025. (AP Photo/ Ariel Schalit)

22 reported killed in Lebanon before agreement to extend deadline for Israeli forces to withdraw

Reuters

“Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on Sunday opened fire on protesters demanding their withdrawal in line with a ceasefire agreement, killing at least 22 and injuring 124, Lebanese health officials reported. Hours later, the White House said Sunday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the deadline for Israeli troops to depart southern Lebanon until Feb. 18, after Israel requested more time to withdraw beyond the 60-day deadline stipulated in a ceasefire agreement that halted the Israel-Hezbollah war in late November.”

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani waits to welcome the senior Ukrainian delegation led by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo

Syria's Sharaa declared president for transition, consolidating his power

Reuters

"Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was declared president for a transitional phase on Wednesday, tightening his hold on power less than two months after he led a campaign that toppled Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa was also empowered to form a temporary legislative council for a transitional period and the Syrian constitution was suspended, according to an announcement made by the military command which led the offensive against Assad.”

This year, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and author and ethicist Andrew DeCort, PhD, held a series of prayerful reflections on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). From January 18-25th, Andrew was joined each day at 12:00 EST by a different renowned guest to reflect on one of the beatitudes and pray for a just peace for the Middle East.

Speakers will included:

January 18th: Sister Susan Nchibiri, Maryknoll Office of Global Concern

January 19th: Shireen Awwad Hilal, Bethlehem Bible College

January 20th: Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, Christmas Lutheran Church (Bethlehem, Palestine) & the ELCJHL

January 22nd: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel A. W. Adishian, Armenian-American priest, scholar, and speaker

January 23rd: Tony Amoury Alhoury, Syrian-born Christian theologian and educator

January 24th: Abouna Imad Haddad, Good Shepherd Church (Amman, Jordan) and ELCJHL

January 25th: Rev. Ashraf Tannous, Palestinian Reverand and Head of the ELCJHL’s Ecclesiastical Court

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed each year as an opportunity to explore Christians' shared heritage and to enter more deeply into the faith that unites all us all. This year's overarching global theme, "Do You Believe?" (John 11:26) offers a way to see that faith is not just a static set of beliefs, but an active means of receiving grace.

As the World Council of Churches explains, 2025 also marks the 1700th anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, near Constantinople in 325 AD. This commemoration provided a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians, as expressed in the creed formulated during this council.

If you want to watch the recordings of any speakers you may have missed, their recording is available at the link below!

Contact Us

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 505
Washington, District of Columbia 20002
(202) 543-1222  info@cmep.org