--- title: Israel-Gaza Truce Offers Time to Serve Those in Need description: The cease fire agreement in the Middle East gives cause for hope and a reminder to continue to pray and to help. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/08/27/israel-gaza-truce-offers-time-to-serve-those-in-need#) # Israel-Gaza Truce Offers Time to Serve Those in Need Aug 27, 2014 8:00:04 AM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) [![World View Wednesdays](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/wvw_logo_rectangle_600x352-550x322-55.jpg?width=550&height=322&name=wvw_logo_rectangle_600x352-550x322-55.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/wvw_logo_rectangle_600x352-26.jpg) The announcement yesterday of an Egyptian-brokered peace agreement seems to be an answer to prayer. [Per CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/26/world/meast/mideast-crisis/index.html?hpt=wo_c1): > After more than seven weeks of heavy fighting, Israel and Hamas announced a ceasefire Tuesday. And unlike the other ceasefires announced in recent weeks, this one has no expiration date. The truce does not deal with core long-term issues on both sides. But Israel agreed to ease the blockade on Gaza, open border crossings for more aid to pass through and extend the fishing limit off the coast to 6 miles, according to a senior Egyptian government official. Both sides agreed to return to Cairo for further talks, the official said. Watching war play out half a world away unfortunately sometimes dulls our senses to the humanity of these situations. Blessedly, our Holy Father continues to remind us to #PrayForPeace, even giving the green light to such creative ideas as ***peace via soccer*** with the [Inter-religious Match for Peace](http://www.news.va/en/news/interreligious-match-for-peace-set-to-kickoff-on-s). As I type this, it is Tuesday evening. The ceasefire went into effect just a few short hours ago, at noon ET today. I've already prayed that by the time this article releases tomorrow morning, the fighting will still be at bay and relief efforts and rebuilding can begin. And there is no doubt that much healing will be needed. Just a few days ago, CRS shared this graphic showing the aid that has already been delivered to Gaza: ![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/scaletowidth.jpeg) [Additional help is greatly needed](https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2?idb=1834612405&df_id=7180&7180.donation=form1&idb=0&s_src=mg_emergencyGaza). And now is the time for us to redouble our prayer efforts, not to forget those in need as we busy ourselves with Labor Day plans and back to school busyness. Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us! *Copyright 2014 Lisa M. Hendey* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F08%2F27%2Fisrael-gaza-truce-offers-time-to-serve-those-in-need%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F08%2F27%2Fisrael-gaza-truce-offers-time-to-serve-those-in-need%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F08%2F27%2Fisrael-gaza-truce-offers-time-to-serve-those-in-need%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Israel-Gaza%20Truce%20Offers%20Time%20to%20Serve%20Those%20in%20Need) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F08%2F27%2Fisrael-gaza-truce-offers-time-to-serve-those-in-need%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F08%2F27%2Fisrael-gaza-truce-offers-time-to-serve-those-in-need%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ Praying for the Families & Loved Ones of Sandy Hook Elementary Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2012/12/14/praying-for-the-families-loved-ones-of-sandy-hook-elementary) [ Grace in Tension: In Conversation with Claire McGarry Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/grace-in-tension-in-conversation-with-claire-mcgarry) [ We Can't Neglect the Call for Prayer Amidst ISIS Religious Persecutions Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/03/25/we-cant-neglect-the-call-for-prayer-amidst-isis-religious-persecutions) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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