Jerusalem bishop: The war may be over but cause remains unresolved

Bishop William Shomali © ACN

A bishop in Jerusalem has said that, while the current war between Israel and Hamas has ended, the causes of the conflict remain unresolved. In a message sent today (Wednesday, 15th October) to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem, urged all friends and supporters to "continue to pray", saying "nothing is impossible to God".

A ceasefire in Gaza took effect on Friday (10th October) after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a 20-point peace plan brokered by US President Donald Trump, with the next phase still to be negotiated.

Bishop Shomali told ACN: "The war between Hamas and Israel has ended but the conflict with its underlying causes didn't end.

"A solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict should be reached according to the international resolutions. It is not easy yet not impossible. I invite all the friends and supporters of the Holy Land to continue to pray. Nothing is impossible to God."

The bishop's comment follows an address by Father Gabriel Romanelli in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Gaza City, on Sunday (12th October) where the parish priest said: "This ceasefire, God willing, will become the end of this atrocious war."

He added: "The long-awaited day has come to begin the implementation of the peace process or peace agreement…

"May God, in his goodness, grant the Holy Land - and particularly this part of the Holy Land, which is Palestine, Israel - that we may begin to live in peace, in justice, in reconciliation."

Both Israeli and Palestinian citizens have seen the release of hostages and some prisoners but await the return of prisoners and remains of dead hostages.

Under Mr Trump's peace plan, Hamas has been put in charge of security in Gaza.

But within days, reports emerged of Hamas-inflicted executions and the deaths of six Palestinians by Israeli soldiers, and that humanitarian aid is not being delivered.

Fr Romanelli stressed the importance of praying and working so peace could take root for the region.

He added: "Let us hope that it will truly be a just and lasting peace for all the inhabitants of the Holy Land."

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Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org