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23-10-2023
VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has called for an end to the Hamas-Israel conflict, expressing concerns about its potential escalation.
During his customary Angelus prayer in Saint Peter’s Square, Rome, he emphasized the destructive nature of war and pleaded, “Stop, Stop! Brothers, stop.”
The conflict began when Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, resulting in over 1,400 deaths.
Israel’s airstrikes, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, have killed more than 4,600 Palestinians, primarily civilians, and left densely populated areas in Gaza in ruins.
The pope also spoke to US President Joe Biden on Sunday about “conflict situations in the world and the need to identify paths to peace”, according to the Vatican.
The conversation lasted about 20 minutes, its press office said.
Alarm has grown about a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has cut off water, food and power.
A first trickle of aid entered the besieged Strip on Saturday, but UN officials said the 20 trucks permitted to cross were not enough given the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation for 2.4 million people.
Two US hostages were released Friday but over 200 people abducted by the militants are still being held.
