Israel-Palestine War Undermining “pursuit of global peace”: Nigeria’s Christian leaders

The October 7 surprise attacks began at the start of the observance of the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah.

Israel reacted to the attacks by fighting back in southern Israel and launching airstrikes in Gaza. 

Israeli military official, Daniel Hagari, told reporters on October 8 morning that “hundreds of terrorists” had been killed during fighting in Gaza and southern Israel, the Associated Press reported.

On October 7, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel is “at war.”

Media reports indicate that more than 1,200 people have been killed and over 2,800 people have been injured in Israel while at least 1,055 lives have been lost and 5,183 people are injured in Gaza.

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In their statement, CAN members say that while Israel has a right to self-defense, there is a need for “proportionality and the avoidance of harm to innocent civilians in any military response.”

The Christian leaders say the loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives “is a tragic consequence of this escalating situation.”

They extend their “deepest condolences” to all those who have suffered the loss of their loved ones in the violent conflict and call for “an immediate cessation of hostilities and violence between Israel and Palestine.”

“We believe in the sanctity of human life and the principles of justice and peace, as upheld by our Christian faith. We urge all parties involved to engage in dialogue and seek diplomatic solutions,” the representatives of Christian leaders in Nigeria say.

On October 8, Pope Francis called for an end to the violence, which he said he is following “with apprehension and sorrow.”

“Terrorism and war do not bring any solution, but only death and suffering for many innocent people. War is a failure. Every war is a failure,” the Holy Father said at the end of a public address.

The Pope also recalled that October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, and asked Catholics across the globe to continue to pray, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “for the gift of peace for the many countries of the world marked by war and conflict.” 

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.