The Pope of Rome publicly defended on Wednesday “Israel’s right to defend itself” in the wake of the severe attack by the radical Islamic group Hamas in the attacks that took place on Saturday.
Likewise, he confessed to being “concerned” about the harassment experienced by Palestinian civilians living in the Gaza Strip these days without access to water, food, medicine, light or fuel, which he criticized as having “a lot innocent victims. .”
Pope Francis demanded that Hamas release as soon as possible all the Israeli hostages they have been holding since Saturday, which could be between 100 and 150 people, according to data managed by the Israeli Army.
“I follow with pain and concern what is happening in Israel and Palestine with many dead and wounded people. I pray for the families who saw a day of celebration turned into a day to mourn,” he declared at the end of the general audience. in Vatican Square in St. Peter.
He also pointed out that terrorism and extremism “do not help” the possibility of achieving a solution to the historic conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people. “They fuel hatred, violence, revenge and cause only suffering,” he said in reference to the killings and terrorist acts carried out by Islamist militias.
This Wednesday more than 1,200 people lost their lives and 2,900 were injured in various degrees of severity in Israel in the context of the wave of attacks by Hamas. On the other side of the fence, 950 people were killed in the attack by the Israeli army and 5,000 were wounded. “The Middle East does not need war, but peace. A peace built on justice, dialogue and the value of brotherhood,” emphasized the Supreme Pontiff in closing.
