Vatican City: Pope Francis on Sunday has called for an end to the Hamas-Israeli conflict amid fears it could prolong stressing for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into to the Gaza Strip.
War a destruction of humanity: Pope
After his traditional Angelus prayer at Saint Peter’s Square in Rome Francis said war is always a defeat and destruction of human fraternity.
The 86-year-old priest said spaces should be opened for humanitarian aid to continue to arrive and for hostages to be released.
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
On October 7 Hamas stormed Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing at least 1,400 people. However, Israel’s barbaric bombing has killed more than 4,651 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Pope Francis added the war in any part if the world is a defeat.
The pope on Sunday also had a telephonic conversation with US President Joe Biden about conflicts in the world stressing the need to identify paths to peace.
The Vatican press office said the conversation lasted about 20 minutes.
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Alarm has grown around the world about a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has cut off water, food and power supplies.
The first convoy of aid entered the besieged Gaza Strip on Saturday, but UN officials said only 20 trucks were permitted to cross the area which is not enough keeping in view the catastrophic humanitarian situation for 2.4 million people.
