First Presidency “Devastated” By Israel, Gaza Violence, Loss Of Life

(Salt Lake City, UT) — The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says they are “devastated” by what they describe as the recent eruption of violence and loss of life in the Middle East. The statement released yesterday is the first official comment on the war that’s been raging since fighters with the Palestinian militant group Hamas invaded Israel. Church President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring said their “hearts ache for all victims of this atrocity.” Israel said 13-hundred Israelis have been killed and more than three-thousand have been wounded in rocket attacks and raids into Israel by Hamas fighters. Officials in the Palestinian enclave Gaza said retaliatory strikes by Israel have killed more than 15-hundred people and wounded over six-thousand.