In his forthcoming book, Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World, Pope Francis addresses claims of genocide in Gaza for the first time. The pontiff calls for a thorough investigation into whether Israel’s actions meet the criteria for genocide, as defined by international law. Excerpts published in La Stampa reveal his concern over the devastating toll of Israel’s military operations, which Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry estimates have claimed over 43,800 lives, predominantly civilians.
While Francis stops short of endorsing the term genocide, his comments signal a significant step in his engagement with the conflict. His remarks align with a recent United Nations Special Committee report accusing Israel of conducting warfare in Gaza “consistent with genocide,” including allegations of using starvation as a weapon—claims strongly denied by Israel and its allies.
The pope has also repeatedly called for the release of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas on October 7, an attack that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli casualties. On Thursday, he met with 16 former hostages recently freed from Gaza. This marked another poignant moment in his advocacy for peace and justice in the region.
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