Rep. John Curtis visited the Middle East hoping to find a path forward to peace

Rep. John Curtis went on a tour of the Middle East last week, trying to help find a way to end the war between Israel and Hamas.

In an interview with the Deseret News on Friday, the GOP congressman revealed the tough conversations he had with world leaders and high-level dignitaries about the war, his fears of an escalation, and his hopes for a long-lasting ceasefire.

The tour began in Israel. Curtis said he visited a soccer field in Northern Israel where several children were killed in a Hezbollah missile attack. Bikes and a soccer ball were still lying on the ground, next to the destruction caused by the rocket fire.