We are grateful to Geoffrey Smith of our sister organization Christian Friends of Israel for providing this brief question and answer piece on Gaza.

There are six questions that many people are asking about the conflict between Israel and Hamas. These questions provide context to the news from Gaza and can be helpful in replying to questions in your church or fellowship and as a guide to prayer.

1.  Who started it?

On December 19th Hamas declared it would not renew a 6-month ceasefire agreement. Instead, Hamas stepped up the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel. On Christmas Eve it fired over 50 rockets and on Christmas Day over 80 rockets and mortars against Israeli civilians. No country could ignore rockets being fired against its people.

2.  Is Israel's response disproportionate?

What is a proportionate response? In the last 3 years Hamas has fired 5800 rockets and mortars randomly against Israeli civilians. What would be the world's response if Israel fired 5800 missiles randomly into Gaza? Instead Israel has targetted Hamas fighters and infrastructure, and tunnels from Egypt. Israel has repeatedly offered that if the rockets stop it would also stop its bombardment. But Hamas continues firing rockets and there is no sign yet that Hamas would agree to a ceasefire. The leadership of Hamas vigorously denied early reports they had offered a ceasefire.

3.  What is needed to end the conflict?

There needs to be a change to the security situation in Gaza. Hamas used the last 6-month ceasefire period to smuggle longer-range Iranian made rockets into the Gaza Strip. These have hit a school in Beersheva and apartments in Ashkelon and Ashdod 25 miles away. If Israel accepts another ceasefire without destroying this stockpile of rockets or putting controls in place to prevent new and even longer range rockets being smuggled into Gaza it could face a repetition whenever Hamas decided to renew hostilities. Next time Tel Aviv could be within range.

4.  What is the reaction of the Arab powers?

No Arab nation would have allowed a neighbour to fire rockets into its sovereign territory. Any Arab state would have reacted far more strongly and not been so concerned as Israel to minimise civilian casualties! Many Arab states recognise that Hamas is acting as an agent for Iran. They do not want Iranian power to increase in the Middle East and are secretly pleased that Israel is taking on Hamas.

5.. What about the humanitarian situation in Gaza?

The people of Gaza are living under a despotic regime. Hamas expelled its opponents by throwing them off the roof of high-rise buildings or shooting them in the streets. Hamas does not permit other voices in civil society and persecutes the small Christian minority. Israel is allowing daily deliveries of 50 to 100 truckloads of supplies to Gaza and has not cut off power supplies from the generating station at Ashkelon even when it is under fire.

6.. Is Gaza hopeless?

No, its people have a high rate of adult literacy - over 92%. Infant mortality is low and the expectation of life from birth is over 72 years. If the administration of Gaza focussed on development rather than using all its resources for attacking Israel they could have a brighter future.

Geoffrey Smith, Director, Christian Friends of Israel, 2nd January 2009