FOR MANY IN THE LAND OF THE BIBLE
THIS CHRISTMAS IS TOUGH

Dear Friend,

I was just in Israel where Samaritan's Purse is working to help after the Hamas terrorist attacks that killed 1,200 people on Oct. 7. This is still a dangerous place. The bloodstains are still on the ground, the smell of death is still in the air, Hamas missiles are still being shot over, and fighter jets are still overhead.

As I talked with survivors, family members, and leaders, I was struck by the brazen brutality of Hamas. There is no other word to describe it than evil—pure evil. It was like every demon in Hell was turned loose.

I met a young woman named Lihi who had come back to her village to get a few things from her house. She and her two small children hid in their home and survived the attack. Her husband, Daniel, was a physician who heard the gunfire and ran to the medical clinic where he worked just a few hundred yards away. While he was there treating the injured and trying to save lives, he and everyone else but two people were murdered—and then Hamas threw in hand grenades to wipe out the facility and any survivors. In tears, Lihi told me that he was the love of her life.

I also met the mother of a woman who was one of the first responders who was killed as she took the wounded into a clinic attacked by Hamas. This mother and her other three adult daughters were absolutely heartbroken and devastated, as are so many there. She told me solemnly that she was thankful at least that her daughter had not been taken hostage and exposed to the torture and suffering as so many were.

I prayed for the family members and community leaders that I met. As I shared the Word of God with those I talked with, it brought comfort, like balm to their wounded souls. I also met and prayed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He expressed appreciation for how Samaritan's Purse is responding. He said, "The fact that you are coming here, standing with Israel—in Israel—is mightily important and gives us a lot of strength, a lot of encouragement." I asked if I could pray for him, and I asked God to protect the nation of Israel, and give him strength and wisdom in the midst of these very difficult days.

When Hamas invaded, they also targeted and destroyed ambulances. Fourteen ambulances of Magen David Adom, the nation's first responder service, were destroyed and 11 of their staff were killed. Samaritan's Purse had already committed to replacing those 14, and while I was there, I saw the great need and told them we would provide seven more armored ambulances to help protect their first responders from sniper fire.

ON THE GROUND: Kristy Graham talked to two first responders who were serving on the ground when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Hadass and Uri, workers for Magen David Adom, an emergency medical service for Israel, shared how they saw God’s hand at work even in the midst of great tragedy.

We are also working with church partners in Israel as well as in Gaza and the West Bank to provide thousands of displaced families with food and other assistance.

"Generations to come will remember this help," said Uri Shacham, chief of staff for Magen David Adom, whose ambulance corps is 80 percent staffed by volunteers. It was humbling when they made me an honorary member of their organization.

Hamas has vowed to annihilate Israel, denying the truth that God Almighty promised this land to His chosen people. "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 7:6).

As we pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), let's also lift up the families in Gaza who are living in desperate conditions, even as Hamas uses them as human shields and their hospitals as camouflage. Humanitarian access in Gaza has been limited, but Samaritan's Purse has long-standing Christian partners there, and we are working hard to equip them to help their neighbors.

As we wrap up this year, I want to thank you for your prayers and support for Samaritan's Purse as we work to save lives, relieve suffering, and share the hope of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. May God richly bless you this Christmas season.

Sincerely,
Franklin Graham