SIX United States Franciscan provincials told President Joe Biden in a joint letter that “now is the time for boldness to end the immediate violence” in the Holy Land.
A ceasefire was agreed upon by Israel and Hamas after 11 days of conflict, which left hundreds dead and thousands wounded.
The Franciscans’ letter, sent on May 19, said “we must use the moral strength of the US to support a nonviolent and sustainable solution in the region”.
“The US is a key player in finding such a solution rooted in justice, respect for basic human rights and international law,” the letter said.
“The ongoing escalation of violence and human rights abuses, now in its second week, must come to an end.
“Your administration has consistently said that it will centre human rights and the rule of law in its foreign policy decisions.
“We beg you to further translate these sentiments into action.”
Franciscans have held custody over the Holy Land for centuries and have been caught up in the ongoing violence.
In a post to custodia.org, the heads of the churches of the Holy Land called upon the international community, the churches and “all people of goodwill to intervene” and to “continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem”.
Catholic Relief Services Gaza head Bassam Nasser said the mounting death figures were “not numbers” – “I know these people”.
Mr Nasser said one of his children’s doctors was killed in the bombings and another senior doctor, one of the few specialising in reading mammograms and CT scans, was killed along with his whole family, except for a 16-year-old son.
Mr Nasser said his own children have been forced to relive their traumas from the previous four wars; only his youngest had not yet been born in the first outbreak of violence in 2008.
“It is really hard,” he said.
“Until 11 days ago, I thought the trauma of the previous war was gone.
“Unfortunately, I found the trauma is somehow buried in the memories of the children, and they get it back from the point they left it then.
“I think all Gaza residents are traumatised, but as parents you can’t show the signs of trauma; you have to continue to show strength in order to get your children out of this.”
CRS is being stretched thin with more than 1000 families having lost their home in the recent conflict.
CRS has been providing hygiene packets to displaced people who are staying in official UN shelters, in an effort to continue the fight against COVID-19.
Only about 40,000 of Gaza’s two million residents have been vaccinated, Mr Nasser said, who noted that the central COVID-19 testing lab was damaged in the bombing.
In this most deadly violence since 2014, at least 230 Palestinians – including 65 children – have been reported killed, and thousands injured.
Israel reported 12 Israelis, including two children, killed.
The Israeli Defense Forces said more than 4,070 rockets have been launched into Israeli towns along the border with Gaza and all the way up to Israel’s largest city, Tel Aviv, in the centre of the country.
Israel asserts it has the right to defend itself against Hamas attacks, but there has been widespread condemnation of the disproportionality of the Israeli military response.
