Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, insisted that an immediate ceasefire in Gaza “is more urgent than ever.”
In a Vatican News interview, he pointed out that the main barrier to peace is the absence of collective will from both conflicting sides.
“All that’s missing is the will to make it happen,” he said, suggesting that the current moment, marked by the approach of Ramadan and widespread fatigue from ongoing unrest, is ripe for a shift towards peace.
Pizzaballa expressed deep concern about the recent tragic events in Gaza, particularly the disaster that struck people queuing for humanitarian aid.
“My reaction was, like everyone else’s, one of great dismay,” he said, adding that there is a need for more coordinated solutions to the dire conditions in Gaza, including critical shortages and health risks.
Despite the challenging situation, Pizzaballa spoke of the enduring hope and faith within the Gaza Christian community. “There is always hope; there is always the desire for this to end,” he affirmed.
“I don’t know if the Church can play this role,” he said when asked about the Church’s role in diplomatic negotiations. However, he emphasized its ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue and understanding among parties.
Pizzaballa was cautiously optimistic about the potential for a positive outcome from the current crisis, suggesting it could lead to significant, long-term solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He underscored the importance of finding resolutions that ensure mutual stability, freedom, and dignity.
He said, “It is clear that solutions must be found that guarantee stability, freedom, and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis.”
