I join with Pope Francis in his concerns that the Israeli hostages be released and humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza be allowed. While Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism, innocent civilians in Gaza need to be aided.
As Pope Francis has said: "May humanitarian rights be respected, above all in Gaza, where it is urgent and necessary to guarantee humanitarian corridors to help the entire population.” We continue to pray that suffering be relieved and all of us work as instruments of peace.