Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee (USCCB) on International Justice and Peace, praised President Donald Trump for acknowledging the starvation crisis in Gaza and called on his administration to immediately expand humanitarian access to the region.

“I commend President Trump for acknowledging that starvation is happening in Gaza, especially affecting children,” Bishop Zaidan said in a July 31 statement, “and I urge him to demand the immediate expansion of humanitarian assistance through all channels in Gaza.” 

Earlier this week, Trump decried the worsening famine in Gaza and vowed to send more US aid and food to the region. 

Bishop Zaidan called the crisis “one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the 21st century” and asked Catholics to ardently pray for those suffering. 

He reiterated Pope Leo XIV’s repeated calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and compliance with international humanitarian law. Bishop Zaidan also expressed solidarity with Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Christians in the Holy Land facing violence. 

“Let us pray that the Holy Spirit, creator and vivifier,” he said, “may infuse fraternal love into the hearts and minds of peoples of all faiths living in the lands of our Lord’s life, death, and glorious resurrection.”