Church Leaders Urge End to Fighting in Gaza, Gaza, Palestinian Territories

The United Reformed Church, Christian Aid, other humanitarian agencies and global church leaders have urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an end to fighting in Gaza.

In a joint statement, 69 international Christian church leaders and aid agencies said “enough is enough” as Palestinian families in Gaza are “wiped out.” The statement said, “We cannot remain silent as generations of families in Gaza are wiped out in an instant,” and added, “World leaders cannot sit by while Palestinian civilians in Gaza experience such catastrophic destruction and trauma.”

The signatories described the military campaign in strong terms. They said, “The relentless and unrestrained bombing campaign with horrific indiscriminate effects and the ground invasion by Israel must end.” They also wrote that they “weep with broken hearts as we hear of hospitals, mosques, churches, and schools damaged and destroyed by this war,” and that “In Gaza, there is no safe place. There is no refuge. There is no escape.” Speaking for civilians who have no refuge reflects a concern for protecting the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3).

The statement also condemned what it called “vitriolic ‘crimes of hate'” against Jews and Muslims, which it said are “straining community cohesion and interreligious efforts.”

The source reports that since 7 October, more than 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and 1,200 Israelis have also been killed. During a seven-day pause last week, more than 100 Israeli hostages were exchanged for 240 Palestinian detainees, and some humanitarian aid was delivered.

Christian Aid, along with church leaders and other relief agencies, is calling on world leaders to press for a full and permanent ceasefire to take effect immediately. The charity says this is the only serious option to stop further loss of civilian life and a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.