A priest for the Episcopal Church in Palestine has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump for his characterisation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, as a ceasefire holds for a third day.
Trump told reporters he was "not confident" the truce would last and described the conflict as "their war," not America’s.
Reverend Fadi Diab, Rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Ramallah told Premier Christian News that the U.S. has been complicit in the violence: "Israel would not have done what it did in Gaza and the West Bank without the support and consent of the U.S. administration," he said.
The remarks come as Hamas plans to release another group of Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, Israel launched a large military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, resulting in at least eight deaths and 35 injuries from airstrikes.
Fr Fadi argues that this attack, along with others, shows that the ceasefire in Gaza does not promise long-term peace. “The intention is not to de-escalate. The goal of the Israeli government is to maintain this cycle of violence, as it keeps them in power.”
He believes the root of the conflict lies in the recognition of a Palestinian sovereign state and the right to freedom, independence, and self-determination. “God created all of us with freedom and independence. Denying these rights goes against His will.”
In another development, Israel’s top military leaders, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi and Major General Yaron Finkelman, both resigned on Tuesday, citing security and intelligence failures linked to Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza.
