In the early hours of Saturday morning, a march procession for the peace of Jerusalem drew hundreds of Samoans from various backgrounds and age groups. 

The procession made its way from Beach Road Apia to the Government building led by the Ministry of Police's band.

Flags of Israel and Samoa were waved up high as hundreds of those who gathered were dressed in white and blue, singing and shouting for peace of Jerusalem.

Government leaders also joined the march. 

The Prayer for Israel Samoa (P.F.I.S.) group took charge of organising and coordinating the march, which involved participants from diverse Christian denominations across Samoa. 

This collaborative effort showcased a united front among believers from different church backgrounds, coming together for the common cause of expressing prayerful solidarity for Israel.

The inspiration for organising the march originated from the worries voiced by P.F.I.S. regarding the tragic loss of innocent civilians caught in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

The group felt compelled to take a collective stand, expressing their concern and solidarity through this initiative.

They are of the view that this current strife has not only divided global opinions but has also given rise to conflicting perspectives, even within the Christian community. 

P.F.I.S. asserts that the sole reliable source of truth is the trustworthy and infallible word of God. 

.Reverend Nu'uausala Siutaia Siaosi said because Samoa is a Christian nation, it is advocated that all should exclusively turn to the Bible to discern God's prophetic purposes in these end times, rather than letting personal sentiments, emotions, or social media trends, no matter how plausible they may appear, shape perspectives and opinions on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflic.

He reminded hundreds of those who gathered in front of the government building that the mantra behind the peaceful march is to unite and pray for peace for all. 

"We are gathered here today to pray for peace not only for Jerusalem but also for the world and everyone. You can call for peace in the world we live in today, but you also need to stop and ask yourself whether there is peace within you," he said.

"If there is peace within you, then we find true peace in Jesus Christ and his word. We tend to think that true peace means the absence of wars and conflicts. 

"But the bibles teaches us that you will never have true peace if you don't have peace and freedom within yourself."

"Proof of this is in the history of past hostilities between Israel and Hamas where many cease-fire agreements and truces were broken in a familiar cycle and escalation of violence," the statement reads.  

"Since 2014, nine truces came and went during a 51-day conflict. The November ceasefire in the current Israel-Hamas conflict lasted seven days.