The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has issued a statement on the hostilities in the Middle East.

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“We have been shocked and horrified by the outbreak of senseless violence in the Holy Land.

Our hearts go out to the innocent people of Israel who have been murdered and terrorised and to the innocent civilians of Gaza dying in a war zone.

We join with Pope Francis in his call for peace and echo his condemnation of this widespread outbreak of violence.

We pray for peace and call on the faithful, and all people of good will to do the same.

We hope the violence will cease, that civilians and non-combatants will be respected and that all hostages will be released.”

Read Pope Francis' comments here.