THE ARCHBISHOP of York has broken his silence over the conflict in Gaza which has killed more than 1,100 people.

At a special service of prayer and lament for the victims of the war between Israel and Hamas militants, Dr John Sentamu spoke of his “profound sorrow” at the slaughter and devastation in the Middle East.

Until today's service in the chapel of his Bishopthorpe Palace home, the Archbishop who played a drum lament for those affected by the Gaza situation - had chosen not to express his views on the ongoing conflict, but he said he felt the time had now come for that to change.

“I have received letters, calls and e-mails asking me why I haven't spoken out the answer is that, up until now, I have not known what to say,” he said.

“The incomprehensible suffering of the innocent leaves one in a place of profound sorrow and silence in the face of such suffering. It is essential at such times that we engage in prayer, even if we feel in the light of such suffering, that our prayers are going straight into a concrete bucket.

“But suffering ultimately calls for a response, and that response is prayer.”

Dr Sentamu said his decision to speak out was made early today while watching television coverage of the “appalling” conflict.

“The international community has known this was brewing and has not worked to resolve it,” he said.

“It is its job to sort it out and it must not be pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli.”