Air attacks hit Bible Society offices in Israel and Gaza

The Bible Society office in Gaza has been damaged during an air strike, while in Tel Aviv a rocket fell 100 metres from the Bible Society shop, also causing considerable damage. 

No staff were injured, and in both situations the Bible Society directors, Nashat Filmon and Victor Kalisher, say that they are relying on God. 

Victor, who is based in Jerusalem, leads a team who are distributing both Bibles, Bible-based resources and humanitarian aid. He said Bible-based resources recently developed for the growing local church were now being read and asked for by many more people, ‘We see how much needed these resources are especially now that people go through very difficult and frightening times, especially for young people and children. 

‘The devastating situation is driving many people to seek spiritual solutions to what happened and is still happening,’ he said. 

Meanwhile, Nashat Filmon said that ‘there was no refuge’ for Christians in the Gaza strip. The thousand-strong Christian community there is taking shelter in two churches in the territory. Both have traditionally been seen as places of sanctuary, but on 20 October an Israeli air strike hit the Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza City, killing 18 people including children. 

‘For Christians, including our staff, there is nowhere else to go,’ said Nashat. ‘They will not leave. These days are very tough. We are praying may God have mercy and help us to give hope to others. That is our prayer.’