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Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Vatican has called for an end to this confrontation. Pope Francis on Sunday pleaded for the war in the Middle East to stop, fearing that could widen and also urged for more humanitarian aid to be allowed in the Gaza Strip.
"War is always a defeat, it is a destruction of human fraternity. Brothers, stop! Stop!" Pope Francis said after his traditional Angelus prayer in Rome's Saint Peter's Square.
"I renew my call for spaces to be opened, for humanitarian aid to continue to arrive and for hostages to be freed," the pontiff added.
I am very grieved by what is happening in Israel and Palestine. I pray and I am close to all those who are suffering. I renew my appeal for spaces to be opened, for humanitarian aid to continue to arrive, and for the hostages to be freed.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) October 22, 2023
Earlier the 86-year-old pope had commented on the Israel-Hamas conflict and urged for the hostages to be released by Hamas. He also extended his support for Israel’s right to self-defence. He spoke at the weekly general audience to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square and expressed his grief on the situation unfolding in Gaza after Israel’s siege of the region.
"I continue to follow, with pain and apprehension, what is happening in Israel and Palestine. So many people killed, and others wounded. I pray for those families who saw a feast day turn into a day of mourning, and I ask that the hostages be immediately released," he said.
I continue to follow with great sorrow what is happening in Israel and Palestine. I renew my appeal for the freeing of the hostages and I strongly ask that children, the sick, the elderly, women, and all civilians not be made victims of the conflict.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) October 15, 2023
"It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but I am very worried by the total siege in which Palestinians live in Gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims," he said.
Hamas had launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7 killing more than 1200 Israelis. They fired dozens of rockets towards Israel following which Israel showered Gaza retaliatory strikes overnight that killed more than 1900 Palestinians.
Israel's bombing has killed more than 4300 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The Benjamin Netanyahu government had also sealed the Strip completely and had stopped the water, food and electricity supply in the region causing a widespread humanitarian crisis in the region.
Following the blockade of Gaza by the Israelis, the first sign of humanitarian aid was received on Saturday. However, the UN officials in the region had stated that the 20 trucks permitted to cross were not enough given the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation for 2.4 million people.
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