The call for a ceasefire was also shared by humanitarian organizations working in Israel. The end of hostilities must serve to ensure the safe distribution of aid and lead to negotiations for the release of the hostages. The ultimate hope remains peace “in the land where our Lord Jesus Christ took up his cross for us.”
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – Patriarchs and heads of the churches of Jerusalem they asked yesterday an “immediate and prolonged ceasefire” after the massacre carried out by the Israeli armed forces in recent days (IDF), who opened fire on civilians who had gathered around an aid convoy. “Although government spokesmen initially tried to deny the soldiers' involvement in this incident, the Israeli security minister later not only praised the IDF fighters for their 'outstanding' actions, but also attempted to blame the victims for their own deaths by “He accused them of trying to harm heavily armed soldiers,” the prelates recalled.
A call that too share “Civil society and human rights organizations” working in Israel to prevent further loss of life and facilitate access to aid for Gaza, which is facing a “humanitarian catastrophe.” In their statement, the Patriarchs, condemning the attack on civilians, say that “for the half a million people who remain in Gaza City,” access to humanitarian assistance has been almost completely paralyzed “due to severe entry restrictions and shortages.” of security escorts for the convoys. .
“Heavy rain, cold and extreme overcrowding in tents and shelters have significantly increased the incidence of disease,” civil society organizations add, while airdrops “provide only a fraction of the relief needed for a civilian population,” which is “greater than that of. “Tel Aviv, the second largest city in Israel,” the Patriarchs specify.
Both statements recall that a ceasefire should make it possible to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas, whose armed wing announced yesterday the deaths of at least seven hostages held in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attack.
“As we make these requests on behalf of all the innocents suffering as a result of the war, we extend our special prayers of support to the Christian communities in Gaza under our pastoral care. Among them are the more than 800 Christians who have sought refuge in the Gaza Strip.” “We also extend the same expressions of solidarity to the fearless staff and volunteers of the Anglican-run Ahli Hospital, as well as to the patients,” the statement continued written by the Patriarchs, whose last hope remains “an end to hostilities, the release of prisoners and care for the oppressed” so that “serious diplomatic discussions may finally lead to a just and lasting peace here in the land that our Lord Jesus Christ carried “for the first time with his cross in our name”.