As the leader of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Rev. Franklin Graham has devoted much of his life to assisting those in distress around the globe.
A region recently devastated by a violent attack by Hamas on October 7, where over 1,400 Israelis lost their lives—Graham shared his profound reactions.
“This experience was unlike anything I’ve encountered,” Graham expressed on “American Agenda.” “The sheer malevolence is difficult to articulate. Witnessing the indiscriminate slaughter of men, women, and children by these attackers, it’s heart-wrenching. They seem to be driven by a demonic force. It’s the only way I can make sense of it.”
During his visit, Graham spent time with the survivors of the kibbutzim that were targeted in the attacks.
He recalled a poignant encounter: “I spoke with a woman who’s now a widow. Her husband, a doctor, was shot at his clinic, only a short distance from their home. She spent 14 hours hiding in their house, fearing for her life and the lives of her two young children. Now, she faces a future without her husband.”
Graham also met a mother grieving the loss of one of her daughters in the same clinic attack. “She visited me with her three surviving daughters. The sorrow and despair were palpable. I tried to offer some solace, sharing scriptures from the Old Testament and praying with them. They were deeply grateful for the prayers.”
Graham mentioned that approximately 500,000 people in southern Israel have been displaced, many taking refuge in hotels. Samaritan’s Purse has been actively involved in providing these displaced individuals with essential supplies, including food, hygiene kits, and medical equipment like defibrillators. The organization is also coordinating with small churches in Gaza and the West Bank to extend aid.
In response to the targeting and destruction of Israeli ambulances by Hamas, Samaritan’s Purse plans to donate 21 ambulances to Israel, with seven being armored, to bolster their medical response capacity.
“We’re committed to doing all we can to help,” Graham stated.
Graham, a prominent figure in the American evangelical Christian community, known for its strong support of Israel, also mentioned a significant meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “As a Christian, my faith guides my actions,” Graham said. “I had the opportunity to pray with many, including Prime Minister Netanyahu. We discussed the myriad challenges facing Israel and the region, and I offered a prayer for him and the nation.”
