As the United States enters negotiations with Iran during a two-week ceasefire, Bishop A. Elias Zeidan is urging President Donald Trump to help provide humanitarian aid to people in Lebanon.
Zaidan, a native of Lebanon and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, issued a statement On April 9 he expressed his gratitude for the US-Iranian ceasefire, but also expressed his concerns about Lebanon, which he says is not covered by the agreement.
Shortly after the ceasefire, Israel launched its deadliest attack on Lebanon since the beginning of the war, killing more than 300 people. According to the Associated Press. The attack angered Iran, with officials claiming Lebanon was part of the ceasefire. US officials claimed that the promise to include Lebanon was never made.
“I am grateful for the ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran and pray for all parties to engage in effective negotiations to end this destructive war,” Zeidan said in the statement. “However, I was disappointed to learn that the agreement does not include Lebanon, and thus falls short of covering the entire region where conflict is rife.”
On 9 April, both Lebanese and Israeli officials expressed interest in starting peace talks.
Zeidan acknowledged that the Israeli people “have the right to live in peace”, as well as “innocent Lebanese civilians, who are currently suffering from food, medical supply shortages and paralyzing fear.”
“Sadly, more than 1 million people, including 370,000 children, have been displaced by the fighting, making it one of Lebanon’s most serious internal displacement crises in recent history,” he said.
As EWTN News previously reported, many Catholic organizations are working to provide shelter, food, medical services and other types of assistance to people damaged or displaced by the conflict in Lebanon. This week, a Vatican humanitarian convoy to southern Lebanon was forced to turn back after being caught in the crossfire between Hezbollah and Israel.
Father Pierre al-Rahi, a Catholic priest, was killed in Israeli strikes in late March. Some Catholic communities in southern Lebanon were ordered to evacuate, but some have refused to leave the war zone out of fear that their land and homes could be permanently occupied. Much of southern Lebanon is Shia Muslim, but it also has Catholic, Sunni, and religiously mixed communities.
Overall, more than 1,700 people have been killed and more than 5,500 injured in Lebanon.
“As the United States seeks a negotiated end to the war in Iran, I call on President Trump and the international community to ensure that the people of Lebanon have greater access to humanitarian assistance, including food and medical supplies,” Zeidan said in the statement.
For long-term peace, Zeidan said, “it is essential that all parties work toward the complete and immediate disarmament of Hezbollah,” an Iranian-backed Shia militant group that is active throughout southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah became involved in the war against Israel following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting Israel to fire rockets into Lebanon and launch a ground incursion.
The Lebanese government has previously tried to disarm Hezbollah and efforts to disarm them are part of Lebanon-Israel peace talks.
Zeidan also called for “the implementation of UN resolutions regarding Lebanon”, and said that “Hopefully, after that, the governments of Israel and Lebanon can sign an agreement for lasting peace.”
bishop Pope Leo XIV’s Easter message quotedIn which the Holy Father said: “Amidst the feelings of pain, anxiety and mourning, may you know in your hearts a deep joy: Jesus has gloriously conquered death. It is a joy that comes from heaven and which no one can take away.”
Zaidan concluded, “Our Lady of Lebanon, Queen of Peace, pray for the peace of your children in Lebanon and the entire world.”
