Originally published at National Catholic Register
Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace also expressed his support for a statement that Pope Francis recently wrote from Gemelli Hospital about the situation.
Bishop Abdallah Elias Zaidan, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, is encouraging prayers and solidarity for the Holy Land as what he called the “devastation of Gaza” continues.
Bishop Zaidan, who leads the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, said in a USCCB statement that the resumed conflict “will have dire implications for any future civil society development in the region and will likely exacerbate existing tensions for another generation.”
On March 18, about two months after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was announced, Israel Defense Forces launched new attacks to pressure Hamas to release more hostages.
“I am deeply saddened that the ceasefire in Gaza, which had been implemented in January and carried with it the hope that this deadly conflict would end, has broken down and that violence has resumed with horrible consequences,” Bishop Zaidan said.
“I am also deeply saddened that there are still Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas,” Bishop Zaidan continued.
