CAFOD statement on the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank
Elizabeth Funnell, Country Programme Representative for the Middle East at CAFOD, comments on the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
Christ, Prince of Peace,
hear our prayer and lament,
for our suffering sisters and brothers.
Our hearts are heavy as we witness lives torn apart,
as we see the faces of frightened children
and hear the pleas of those without water or food.
We pray for the dead and the grieving,
for the injured and the afraid.
We pray for courage and perseverance,
for those working for healing and to bring aid.
We pray for world leaders,
that they may strive for a just and lasting peace.
God of new beginnings,
in your ways are compassion and hope.
Open our hearts to dialogue and understanding.
Lead us all to answer your call
to become peacemakers
today, and all the days of our life.
Amen.
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Elizabeth Funnell, Country Programme Representative for the Middle East at CAFOD, comments on the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
This move is a critical step towards supporting the education, health and wellbeing of Palestinian refugees who rely on UNRWA's essential services.
“There is nowhere left to host the people now being displaced from Rafah," says Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD's Middle East representative.
With your support, we can continue to provide practical help to families in Gaza right now.
The UK government must exert every effort to ensure that this resolution is implemented. As Pope Francis reminds us, peace cannot be achieved through arms.
The International Court of Justice has issued an interim ruling today on South Africa's genocide case against Israel.
Over 1.9 million people have been displaced in Gaza since the conflict began, with many families having to move multiple times.
CAFOD has commented on reports of people sheltering within the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza being killed by sniper fire, and rocket fire shutting off the last generator powering a home for disabled people.
We welcome the news that a deal has been agreed for a four-day ceasefire allowing for the release of 50 hostages and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
We are devastated to share the tragic news that several staff members at one of our local partners operating within Gaza have been killed.