Pope Francis reiterates criticism against the ‘cruelty’ of ‘israel’s’ bombing operations in Gaza
Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, has once again denounced what he describes as the "cruelty" of Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. He condemned the targeting of Palestinian children and the bombing of civilian infrastructure, emphasizing the severe humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict.
During his weekly mass on Sunday, the speaker expressed profound sorrow and distress over the situation in Gaza, lamenting the immense cruelty, including reports of children being targeted by gunfire and the bombing of educational and medical facilities.
The statements followed the Pope’s condemnation of an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza’s Jabalia, which resulted in the deaths of at least 25 Palestinians, including seven children from the same family.
In his annual Christmas address to the Vatican’s Catholic cardinals, he solemnly remarked, “Yesterday, children were bombed. This act embodies cruelty and can no longer be termed as war. I felt compelled to address this because it deeply resonates with the heart.”
In response to recent remarks made by the Pope, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson expressed disappointment, labeling the comments as “particularly disappointing.”
Pope Francis has consistently urged for a ceasefire regarding Israel’s ongoing military actions in the beleaguered Gaza Strip.
In his recently published book, he urged for an examination to determine if the conditions in Gaza align with the formal definition of genocide.
On October 7, 2023, Israel launched a significant military operation in Gaza following a notable action by Hamas, which was framed as a response to what the group described as escalating Israeli actions against Palestinians.
According to recent reports, the Israeli administration’s actions have resulted in the deaths of at least 45,259 Palestinians, including a significant number of women and children, while 107,627 individuals have sustained injuries.
During its military offensive, Israel has targeted civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including schools and hospitals, raising concerns over potential violations of international law.
