Jordan is set to host an emergency international conference on the urgent humanitarian response to the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The conference will be held on Tuesday, June 11,  near the Dead Sea and will be co-hosted with the United Nations, and Egypt.

The meeting aims to identify ways to bolster the international community’s response to the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip, and commitment for a collective coordinated response to address the situation.
 

Earlier, referring to the meeting, the Holy Father encouraged the international community to act urgently to come to the aid of the people of Gaza, saying humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those who need it.

Following the Sunday Angelus, June 10, Pope Francis called attention to the summit to convene by the King of Jordan, the president of Egypt, and the secretary general of the United Nations, thanking them for this "important initiative." He strongly encouraged the international community to "act urgently" and use all means possible to assist the people of Gaza exhausted by the war. He appealed that humanitarian aid quickly "reach those in need" and that no one should prevent it from arriving.

Imploring the gift of peace

The Pope recalled that 8 June 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the Invocation for Peace that took place in the Vatican, attended by the late Israeli President, Shimon Peres, and Palestinian President Abu Mazen. He said that encounter showed that "joining hands is possible, and that it takes courage to make peace, far more courage than to wage war." 

The Pope then strongly encouraged ongoing negotiations between those involved, "even though they are not easy," while expressing hopes that proposals for peace, a ceasefire on all fronts, and the release of the hostages, "will be accepted immediately for the good of Palestinians and Israelis."