As war rages into its second year, renewed efforts toward peace are underway—and Catholics are called to pray for the leaders and civilians entangled in a crisis that has left deep humanitarian scars.
On July 6, indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas resumed in Qatar for a second consecutive day. The negotiations come amid intensified international concern for Gaza’s deteriorating conditions and renewed hope following last month’s Israeli air campaign against Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, in a bid to further peace discussions and coordinate efforts between key allies.
“We pray for peace and for the safety of all families caught in the conflict,” said one Vatican official, speaking broadly on the Church’s continued concern for the Holy Land and Middle East region. The Catholic Church has consistently supported a just peace in the region and emphasized the sanctity of every human life.
Netanyahu, before leaving for Washington, confirmed that “Israeli negotiators were given clear instructions to reach a deal that agrees with the conditions the country has accepted,” according to reporting by Kielce Gussie. An Israeli official noted the tone of the talks was “positive,” though Palestinian officials admitted the initial meetings ended inconclusively.
A key feature of the U.S.-backed proposal on the table includes a 60-day ceasefire, phased hostage releases, the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and discussions about a possible end to the war. Another Israeli source shared that the topic of humanitarian aid was also part of the dialogue.
This meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is their third since the U.S. president took office in January. Notably, it is the first since the U.S. joined Israeli military operations against Iranian nuclear sites and helped broker a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Netanyahu expressed optimism, saying he believes his meetings with Trump “can help advance this outcome.”
Yet, a lasting peace remains elusive. For months, talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled, largely over a fundamental disagreement. As Gussie reports, “Israel has been committed to a temporary truce to return hostages but not end the war, while Hamas has called for a permanent stop to hostilities in Gaza and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.”
As Catholic observers, this moment invites not only policy interest but moral urgency. Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens daily. According to the United Nations, fuel has not entered the region in over four months, causing near-total depletion of supplies, crippling hospitals, and threatening communication networks. Medical professionals report “acute malnutrition among children is also growing,” Gussie writes.
As people of faith, we cannot look away. The Catholic Church continues to call for a ceasefire rooted in justice and the dignity of every person. In this moment of fragile opportunity, we join in prayer:
“Lord, Prince of Peace, bring healing to the Holy Land, protection for the innocent, and wisdom to those in power. May mercy triumph over hatred, and may the seeds of justice take root.”
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