Tensions between Israel and Palestine have once again resulted in missiles firing over the sky of the Holy Land...
...leaving debris, dead bodies, and hundreds of wounded people in their wake.
The conflict between Jews and Palestinians has extended for generations. Now the tension is escalating because of two primary reasons.
The first: government restrictions imposed on Israel during Ramadan which upset Palestinian Muslims.
Then, tempers flared over a threat posed by the Israeli government to evict Palestinian families from a Jerusalem neighborhood and occupy their land.
The situation has become violent.
Christians in Jerusalem and Gaza are concerned by the recent escalating confrontations. They are responding by praying for peace. This Spanish priest describes the situation in Jerusalem.
JUAN ANTONIO RUIZ
Director, Spanish Biblical and Archaeological Institute (Jerusalem)
'It has been getting worse and worse. We have been hearing gunfire for 3 nights now, several missiles and bombings, and that is why we are very concerned. We don't know what's going to happen, there's a lot of uncertainty'.
The unrest has been getting worse... we didn't expect it to become such a terrible and sad situation for everyone.”
But he also says there are signs of hope, such as a Mass held for the feast of the Ascension, which united the small Christian community in the area to pray for peace.
JUAN ANTONIO RUIZ
Spanish Biblical and Archaeological Institute (Jerusalem)
'We are convinced that prayer will help the situation, since the Holy Land, at this moment, is in need of peace.'
The current situation in the Holy Land is also a source of concern for the United Nations.
STÉPHANE DUJARRIC
Spokesperson, Secretary-General, United Nations
“This spiraling escalation must cease immediately. The United Nations is working with all relevant parties to de-escalate the situation urgently.”
A curfew has been reinstated in the city of Jerusalem. This time it is not due to coronavirus, but because of the ongoing violence in the city.
Javier Romero
TR: JM
RR
