Today we review the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing hostage situation as the second anniversary of their abduction from Israel approaches. We take stock of recent military actions, civilian suffering, and the stalled peace efforts, before asking what we may actually pray and have focused intentions for in what appears to be a dire situation in which both sides in the conflict are determined to continue fighting. Intentions and prayers start at 8 minutes 40 seconds. Suggested Intention Focus for this week This week, as attacks intensify, famine and massive casualties escalate, and peace prospects appear to be fading ahead of the second anniversary of hostages being abducted into Gaza and the bitter war that followed, we suggest holding as our main intention: We will that countless miracles will happen to enable the survival and wellbeing of both the hostages captured by Hamas who remain in captivity and all in Gaza who now fear for their lives. Please join us in holding this. Chapter markers: 00:00:00                     Introduction 00:01:21                      Current Situation Overview 00:08:40                     Intentions and Prayers Sources referenced in this episode: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165856 https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165881 https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165881 https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/humanitarian-situation-update-321-gaza-strip https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/our-only-choice-whether-we-die-here-or-there-nowhere-safe-israel-forces-civilians-leave-gaza-city https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/16/first-head-of-united-nations-body-declares-israels-gaza-war-a-genocide https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/9/9/live-israel-pounds-gaza-city-as-netanyahu-tells-residents-to-leave-now https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gv881exj2o https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-threatened-hell-hamas-free-hostages-happened/story?id=118932854 https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/what-comes-after-israel-hamas-war https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/18/us-vetoes-un-security-council-demand-for-gaza-ceasefire-for-sixth-time https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/9/18/live-israeli-army-applying-extreme-pressure-as-gaza-toll-passes-65000 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/9/19/live-gaza-war-escalates-as-israel-defies-global-condemnation https://www.972mag.com/israel-bombing-endangered-hostages-gaza/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8l46m5evo https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67053011 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8641wv0n4go https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/israel-palestinian-territories/news/2025/article/united-nations-high-level-international-conference-new-york-declaration-on-the https://www.npr.org/2025/01/19/nx-s1-5260204/israel-ceasefire-gaza-hostages-release https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-17-september-2025 https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/gaza-un-experts-urge-general-assembly-respond-famine-and-genocide https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session60/advance-version/a-hrc-60-crp-3.pdf https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/israeli-troops-press-forward-into-gaza-city-as-palestinians-flee-and-death-toll-passes-65000 https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/disasters-and-emergencies/world/whats-happening-in-gaza-humanitarian-crisis-grows https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2025/09/the-middle-east-including-the-palestinian-question-vote-on-a-draft-resolution-7.php https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/0/hostages-gaza-who-has-been-released/ https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/investigations/2025/09/15/exclusive-israel-has-killed-nearly-3000-gaza-aid-seekers https://www.timesofisrael.com/hostages-families-vow-no-peace-for-pm-until-war-stops-as-new-gaza-ground-op-begins/ https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-next-24-these-are-the-remaining-ho