THE Imam of the largest Mosque in High Wycombe has warned military attacks cannot resolve the problems in the Middle East.

Imam Jeelani, who leads the Jubilee Road Mosque, said the conflict between Palestine and Israel is a “humanitarian disaster”.

Israeli forces launched air strikes and a ground assault in Gaza on December 27 in a bid stop rockets being launched at Jewish towns from the territory. It is estimated more than 600 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting began.

The Imam said: “Although I do not know of anyone in the community in Wycombe who has family there, it is clear there is immense suffering being experienced by the people.

“This is a matter which cannot be resolved with military power, this will only add to the problems.

“Everybody here is praying in the Mosque that people will be kept safe from the unbearable pain and suffering.”

On Sunday around 300 Christians and Muslims gathered at Frogmoor for an hour long prayer vigil, braving freezing temperatures to show support to an end to hostilities.

Imam Jeelani continued: “We hope and pray the people in power will be able to make consideration, and ask counsel what is happening there.”

Councillor Zahid Mohammed, a spokesman for Safeguarding children for Bucks County Council, sent a letter to the Bucks Free Press about the situation.

He said: “Whilst we live in the knowledge that children in Bucks are relatively safe, a thought should be extended to those in Gaza, who were continuously and now significantly more over the last two weeks, bombarded with sheer torment.

“Five girls aged between 4 and 17 years died in one night when the walls of their home collapsed on top of them during their sleep.

“And the images of a child with both legs blown off sprawled face down on a stretcher on the hospital floor.

“We could not, should not and would not tolerate such acts against children.”

He also called for graphic images broadcast on TV stations in other countries, but deemed too explicit for UK audiences, to be broadcast.

He said: “The worst is to come. For those afflicted their torment and realities of war will not disappear, however it will help them if we could help feel their suffering.

“The democratically voting public, whether for or against war, should be allowed to see such images. Democracy is predicated on an educated not ignorant citizen.”