Pontiff calls for an end to the fighting in the Hamas-Israel conflict

Pope Francis has urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. The pontiff has called for a ceasefire, emphasizing the need for peace and dialogue to resolve the escalating tensions. His plea comes as the violence continues to claim innocent lives and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the region. Pope Francis’s appeal for a cessation of hostilities serves as a reminder of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, highlighting the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in achieving lasting peace in the region.

The pope has repeatedly appealed for the fighting to halt and for the Gaza Strip to be open to receiving humanitarian aid.

Pope Francis urged the release of captives and the provision of humanitarian help for Gaza on Sunday, reinforcing his demand for an end to the Hamas-Israel conflict and characterising the situation as “very serious.”

Following the customary Angelus prayer at Saint Peter’s Square in Rome, Francis remarked, “I continue to think about the serious situation in Palestine and in Israel where many people have lost their lives.”

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He pleaded, “I beg you to stop, cease fire, in the name of God.”

“I hope every avenue is being investigated in order to prevent the conflict from getting worse, to assist the injured, to get aid to Gaza, where there is a dire humanitarian crisis, and to free the hostages right away.”

In the bloodiest attack in Israeli history, Hamas militants broke into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, murdering at least 1,400 people and kidnapping 240 more, according to Israeli officials.

In retaliation, Israel has bombarded the beleaguered Gaza Strip nonstop, killing over 9,770 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas.

The pope has repeatedly appealed for the fighting to halt and for the Gaza Strip to be open to receiving humanitarian aid.

According to the Vatican, he discussed “conflict situations in the world and the need to identify paths to peace” with US President Joe Biden last month.

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