JERUSALEM — In an interview before the second anniversary of Israel-Hamas war, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said that “what is happening militarily in Gaza is a disaster,” with the consequences of a “human devastation,” and “brutalization of mutual relations between Israelis and Palestinians.”
“There is no longer any trust, no human interest of one side in the other. It is an inhumanity that is almost incomprehensible,” the cardinal told German Catholic news agency KNA.
Asked whether there is a way out of the conflict, he said, “This is a matter for local and international politics. This is a matter for local and international politics.
‘Pray and provide humanitarian aid’
“The only thing the faithful can do is pray and provide humanitarian aid — as much as possible. And international pressure can also be maintained” through the media. “We must not remain silent about these events,” he said.
Referring to the situation of the more than 450 remaining Christians in Gaza the cardinal said: “We are trying to help them as much as possible and provide humanitarian support. We are trying to bring in medical supplies, because the health situation in particular is very problematic. We want to help as many people as possible in Gaza, not just the Christian community.”
Regarding security, “the complex is not particularly stable,” Cardinal Pizzaballa said. “These are old buildings, so even a powerful pressure wave is enough to cause destruction.”
Future of Christian community
Asked about the future of Christian community in Gaza, he said that “certainly not all of them” will leave. “Some wouldn’t even know where to go, not all of them have the means to leave. The parish center will undoubtedly remain. There will still be Christians, a Christian community in Gaza,” the cardinal told KNA.
In this situation, he admitted “it is extremely difficult to talk about future projects and prospects. We don’t know or understand what is happening, what is developing where. The only people talking at the moment are the extremists. You can’t predict the future here. It is therefore difficult to say a word of hope — which is actually our wish.
Read more: https://www.osvnews.com/cardinal-pizzaballa-situation-in-gaza-a-disaster-two-state-solution-less-and-less-real/
By OSV News
