Israel justified attacking Hamas(Gaza) stating that they utilize civilians as they attacked denying genocide claims.
VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Saturday condemned the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza after an Israeli minister had previously publicly taken issue with his recent comment that the world should consider whether the attack on Palestinians may amount to genocide.
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Speaking to Catholic cardinals Francis spoke of the airstrikes that claimed 25 Palestinians’ lives on Friday, pointing to the bombing of children as an act of savagery not of warfare.
“Yesterday, children were bombed,” as the pope quouted. “This is cruelty. This is not war. I wanted to say this because it walks on the heart.
The head of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics usually states a neutral position to any conflict but has recently been very critical of Israel’s armful operation on Hamas. Earlier this month he quoted others who claimed that events in Gaza were genocidal.
The Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli echoed the sentiments saying that the pope was dismissive by referring to the killings as genocide.
Hamas uses civilians as shields which is why through its foreign missions Israel defends the military campaign claiming that it exclusively attacks Hamas.
The ministry apologized for all the non-combatant fatalities. It stated the measures that were being taken to avoid such killings while comparing this with what they denounced as deliberate sacrifice of Palestinian civilians by Hamas.
Francis added that the Catholic bishop of Jerusalem, the patriarch, tried to get into Gaza on Friday to visit Catholics there, but he was not allowed to enter.
The Israeli military later said he would be admitted on Sunday if security allowed it and cited prior deliveries of aid with his coordination.
The core of the conflict was ignited by Hamas which attacked the south of Israel on October 7th, 2023; over 1,200 people died; and over 250 were abducted to the Gaza Strip.
Gaza authorities say that over 45,000 people have died in Israel’s retaliatory campaign and most of them have been civilians. The Israeli military says a third of the fatalities are its soldiers and accuses it of trying to avoid civilian deaths with the chaos of fighting in built-up areas. In this regard, Hamas has dismissed as baseless allegations of reconnaissance and operation among civilians.
FAQs
1. What did the Pope say about the Gaza bombings?
The Pope described the bombing of children in Gaza as “cruelty, not war,” emphasizing the need for peace and humanitarian care in conflict zones.
2. When did the Pope make this statement?
The statement was made during a recent public address or during one of his official communications amidst the ongoing crisis.
3. Why is the Pope’s statement significant?
As a global religious leader and advocate for peace, the Pope’s condemnation draws attention to the humanitarian crisis and urges the international community to take moral responsibility.
4. What is the context of this condemnation?
The Pope’s remarks came in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where civilian casualties, particularly children, have raised widespread concerns.
5. How has the international community reacted?
Reactions to the Pope’s statement vary, with some applauding his advocacy for peace and others debating the complexities of the conflict.
6. What actions has the Vatican proposed?
The Vatican traditionally advocates for ceasefires, dialogue, and humanitarian aid in conflict zones but does not propose direct political solutions.
7. Is the Pope taking sides in the conflict?
The Pope’s statement focuses on condemning violence and protecting innocent lives rather than supporting any specific side in the conflict.
8. What is the broader impact of such statements?
The Pope’s words often influence global discussions on ethics and human rights, potentially encouraging diplomatic efforts to reduce violence.