|TOP|A global world ecumenical church body this week has expressed its grave concerns at the renewed waves of violence hitting the Middle East.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has said the developments are a cause for alarm around the world, and called upon the sides of the conflict to cease the confrontation and to ensure the protection of innocent civilians.

In a statement issued on 13th July, the head of the WCC, Rev Dr Samuel Kobia said, “The WCC strongly urges all parties to immediately stop and reverse the escalation of the conflict and all use of the rhetoric of war.”

The statement has been released following the rapid escalation of armed conflict in the region, after Israeli military strikes on Lebanon, attacks on Israeli armed forces and towns, and weeks of armed conflict in Gaza.|AD|

The WCC statement said, “We insist fully and firmly on the need for all parties to protect civilians – Lebanese, Israeli and Palestinian – in accordance with international law.

“We call for an end to violent actions, condemning these actions including the destruction of roads, bridges and airport runways and the blockade by sea of Lebanon as is already the case in Gaza.”

Implementation of international law is "the essential alternative to the cycle of incursions, occupations, violent counter-attacks and international inaction that now looms over the Middle East again," the statement highlights.

Recent WCC calls for equitable Israeli-Palestinian negotiations over Gaza were also again generally reiterated.