Wired Word Lesson of the Week

The Wired Word

Topic for Sunday, August 31, 2025:

Israel Plans to Take Full Control of the Gaza Strip: As part of its ongoing response to the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, Israel has announced that it intends to take over Gaza City and then all of Gaza. Our lesson will focus on fighting fire with fire, the challenge of peacemaking, and finding hope in difficult situations.

In the News

Individuals are encouraged to read the news below related to this topic before the August 31st bible study to be prepared for an engaging converation:

On Saturday, August 16, Israel said that it is planning to move Palestinians to southern Gaza as it prepares for a new military offensive. The military agency in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza (COGAT), said in a social media post that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would "move the population from combat zones to southern Gaza for their protection."

At the same time, according to COGAT, the supply of shelter equipment to Gaza will resume, and "aid will be transferred through the Kerem Shalom Crossing by the U.N. and international organizations, following a thorough security inspection. We will continue to act in accordance with international law in order to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip."

According to Fox News, the IDF has not said when the mass movement of people to the south would begin. Israel Katz, who serves as Israel’s Defense Minister, wrote on social media that the country is "in the stage of discussions to formulate the plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza and return the hostages, and at their conclusion, there will be a comprehensive and powerful plan to carry out the mission in all its aspects."

An expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza could draw strong international opposition and could further isolate Israel, according to CBS News. Israel is being urged by allies to end the war, as humanitarian agencies warn about famine taking hold in the region.

European ally Germany announced it would halt exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza, reports Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he was disappointed by the decision. Britain and other European allies have urged Israel to reconsider its decision to escalate the campaign. The Israeli military has said that it currently controls around 75% of Gaza. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli brigadier general, estimates that if the military succeeds in taking Gaza City, it would give Israel control of about 85% of the strip.

Netanyahu confirmed plans for Israel to take full control of the Gaza Strip. In an interview with Fox News, he said the move is focused on eliminating Hamas and eventually transferring governance to Arab authorities. Said Netanyahu, "We want to liberate ourselves and liberate the people of Gaza from the awful terror of Hamas."

CBS News reports that Israel's Security Cabinet has adopted five principles for ending the war. They include (1) the disarmament of Hamas, (2) the return of all hostages both living and dead, (3) the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, (4) Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip, and (5) the establishment of a civilian government in Gaza that is not led by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

Not all Israelis support the expansion of military operations in Gaza. Some families of hostages who are still being held by Hamas called for a "nationwide day of stoppage" on Sunday, August 17, to protest expanded operations in Gaza. As the war comes close to entering its third year, 50 hostages still remain in Gaza, although only 20 are believed to be alive. Some members of the families of hostages believe that a total takeover would put the lives of the hostages at risk.

"Fifty hostages have been held in Hamas's death tunnels for nearly 700 days," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. "We have all seen, with our hearts torn, the images of Evyatar David and Rom Breslavsky suffering under unimaginable human torment." The Forum added, "Now is the time to act: to take to the streets, support the families of the hostages, support the families of the soldiers, and influence the future of the hostages and the future of the country -- because only the people can bring the hostages home." 

"The days are long, the nights are even longer," the mothers and wife of three hostages wrote in a joint letter about hope. "Longing burns the soul. But amidst the pain, hope still beats. An entire nation has not given up on you. This coming Sunday, the whole nation will stop their lives for you, for your freedom, for the lives of our soldiers."

On Sunday, protesters took to the streets in a nationwide strike, demanding a ceasefire and the return of the hostages. According to CBS News, former hostage Arbel Yehoud spoke at a demonstration in Tel Aviv. "Military pressure doesn't bring hostages back -- it only kills them," he said. "The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games."

"Today, we stop everything to save and bring back the hostages and soldiers," said Anat Angrest, the mother of hostage Matan Angrest. "Today, we stop everything to remember the supreme value of the sanctity of life. Today, we stop everything to join hands -- right, left, center and everything in between."

Netanyahu addressed the protests at a cabinet meeting, saying they were benefiting Hamas. Last month, Hamas rejected a cease-fire deal in exchange for the hostages; more recently Hamas has proposed a cease-fire in exchange for half the hostages. 

More on this story can be found at these links:

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