Pope Francis has issued an urgent appeal for a cessation of violence in Israel and Palestine, reiterating his belief that wars are always a defeat and expressing deep concern for the suffering of innocent civilians in the Holy Land.
During his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis expressed concern for the children and elderly affected by the escalating violence in the Holy Land.
“I renew my call for the release of the hostages, and I strongly demand that children, the elderly, women, and all civilians are not victims of the conflict,” said Pope Francis.
The pontiff stressed the importance of respecting Humanitarian Law, with a specific focus on Gaza, where there is an urgent need to guarantee humanitarian corridors for the rescue and relief of the entire population.
“In Gaza, there is an urgent need to guarantee humanitarian corridors and to rescue the entire population,” he said.
Pope Francis reiterated his belief that wars represent a defeat for humanity and pleaded for the cessation of innocent bloodshed not only in the Holy Land but also in other regions such as Ukraine and other conflict-stricken areas.
“Brothers and sisters, so many have already died: please do not spill any more innocent blood, neither in the Holy Land, nor in Ukraine, nor anywhere else. Enough! Wars are always a defeat, always!” said the pontiff.
Pope Francis invited the faithful to join the Church in the Holy Land on Tuesday, October 17, for a “Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace”.
He stressed the power of prayer as a “meek and holy force” to counteract the forces of hatred, terrorism, and war.
The escalating violence in the region has led to a growing humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people fleeing their homes in Gaza, and reports of hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of injured and sick patients.
Foreign humanitarian aid has faced delays in reaching Palestinian territory, raising concerns about the deteriorating conditions on the ground.
Israel has sealed off the Gaza Strip, cutting electric and water supply and stopping all entry of food, medicine, and fuel to its 2.3 million people.
The Israel-Palestine conflict has taken a devastating toll, with the number of casualties on both sides continuing to rise.
According to recent reports, at least 2,670 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli air raids, and about 25 percent of these casualties are children. On the Israeli side, the toll has also been severe, with 1,400 fatalities, which includes 286 soldiers.
Over the past 15 years, Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including women, children, and the elderly.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, before the recent attacks, at least 6,400 Palestinians and 308 Israelis died due to the conflict from 2008 to 2023.
