Priest in Gaza: 'people living in
fear of a new war'
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| A fireball explodes in Gaza City during an Israeli bombardment on 20 July.- AFP |
As tension continues to erupt in violent clashes on the
border between Israel and Gaza, the living conditions in the Gaza Strip
continue to deteriorate. A Catholic Parish Priest speaks of the desperation of
the people, of the dwindling Christian community, and of the widespread fear of
a possible new war.
By Linda Bordoni
The United Nations Mideast envoy has warned that
Israel and Hamas were "minutes away" from another
"devastating confrontation" in Gaza on Saturday.
He revealed on Tuesday that the clash was averted after U.N.
and Egyptian diplomatic efforts got both sides to "step back from the brink."
Sounding the alarm, Nikolay Mladenov said that crucial work
is required to change the current deteriorating dynamics that, he noted, could
lead to the fourth war in a decade between Hamas and Israel.
Father Mario Da Silva is the parish priest of
the Holy Family in Gaza. He told Vatican News’ Thimotee
Dhellemmes the living conditions inflicted by Israel's 11-year blockade of the
territory are terrible and that the people in Gaza have all but lost hope.
Desperate living conditions and no freedom
“The people here don’t have food, they don’t have
electricity and they are really afraid about a new war” said Fr Da Silva.
Recalling the violence unleashed during the previous week
when Israeli forces attacked the border area with Gaza, he said that five
people were killed including 2 children ne said: “We are in a very bad
situation, people are living without work and without freedom to move , without
electricity or drinkable water”.
But, he reiterated: “The most important thing for us
is freedom.”
And he explained that the people of Gaza are not allowed to
go wherever they want, they cannot leave Gaza and look for work outside the
walls.
Dwindling Christian community
Speaking of the role of the Church at this dramatic time of
crisis, Fr Da Silva said it is “to try to bring consolation and give hope to
the people.
He explained that there are no future perspectives for
Christians and lamented the fact that in 15 years the small Christian community
has lost 70 members.
Asked what he sees as a solution for peace, Fr. Da Silva has
no doubts: “the two parts must speak and reach an agreement - that is the
solution.”
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