Bishops in Britain call for ceasefire in Gaza

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Bishops in the Church of England have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

They said the manner in which the war is being prosecuted cannot be morally justified.

Israaeli troops have been ordered to prepare to expand their ground operation into Rafah, a city where more than a million people have fled from fighting in the north, and which has already come under attack from air strikes.

The bishops’ statement says: “With the onset of Israel’s ground offensive into Rafah, we call for an immediate ceasefire.

The relentless bombardment of Gaza and its huge cost in civilian lives and civilian infrastructure must stop.

The statement goes on to support release of the remaining hostages, offers prayer for Palestinian Christians, condemns antisemitism and anti-Muslim sentiment,  and appeals for a just peace which “cannot result in the consolidation of a system of occupation that has for too long denied Palestinians their rights and freedoms” .