(January 07, 2009) More than 600 Palestinians have died in the 11-day Israeli offensive,
in which U.N. and Palestinian officials report that, nearly half of the dead are civilians.
The plea for peace from the Christian leaders was seconded in Rome by Pope Benedict
XVI. He said: "The dramatic news that comes from Gaza shows how the rejection of dialogue
leads to situations that weigh indescribably on the population, who once again become
victims of hate and war. "Hate and war are not the solution to problems. Recent history
confirms it as well. Let us pray, therefore, so that 'the Child of the manger … inspires
in the authorities and leaders of both fronts, Israeli and Palestinian, an immediate
action to finish with the current tragic situation.'" Caritas Internationalis President
Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga also called for peace. He said, "Caritas and our
Catholic Church partners in the Holy Land call for an immediate ceasefire to enable
the sick and wounded to be treated. Innocent people are suffering because aid agencies
cannot reach them due to the Israeli military action. "Caritas calls for action from
the U.S.A, the E.U., and the international community on pressing for an immediate
ceasefire to create the necessary environment in Gaza for aid agencies to be able
to care for the wounded. War cannot be justified by either Israel or Hamas. Arguments
over proportionality are morally repugnant when we are talking about the lives of
innocent children." The aid agency urged an immediate end both to Hamas rocket attacks
on southern Israel and the Israeli offensive in Gaza.Caritas Jerusalem Secretary-General
Claudette Habesch explained, "Our staff in Gaza is witnessing a collapse of medical
services. People are dying in their homes because they can't get treatment. There
are 2,053 hospitals beds in Gaza and 2,500 people wounded by the Israeli bombardment.
Doctors say they lack bandages and antiseptic."