The Catholic Bishops of South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini have in a collective statement called “for a ceasefire” in the Holy Land.

“The number of people dying since the escalation of violent conflict between Israel and Palestine, precipitated by Hamas’ killing of 700 Israelis, including women and children, is increasing daily on both sides,” said the Bishops in the Monday, October 16 statement.

In the statement titled ‘A call for de-escalation of war in the Holy Land and peace,’ the bishops bemoan the killing of ordinary civilians and appeal “for a ceasefire and that a humane way of dealing with the present situation be found to eliminate further suffering and deaths.”

“We particularly request an immediate restoration of food supply, electricity, and health care to the Palestinian people in Gaza, which are the basic necessities of life,” said the bishops in the statement signed by the President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) Bishop Sithembele Sipuka.