“Encourage release of hostages, entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza”: Pope Francis on Israel-Hamas war

Vatican City, October 25 (ANI): Pope Francis on Wednesday called for the release of hostages held captive by Hamas and also urged for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza at a time when the escalation of violence has resulted in the death of innocent civilians on both sides.
In a post on social media platform X, Pope Francis said, “I am always thinking of the serious situation in Palestine and Israel. I encourage the release of the hostages and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
“I continue to pray for those suffering and hope for paths of peace in the Middle East and other regions wounded by war,” he added.
The Pope has, earlier as well, called for peace and dialogue on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Referring to the Hamas attack on Israel earlier, Pope Francis called for peace and dialogue saying that terrorism and extremism do not help in resolving a conflict.
“Terrorism and extremism do not help to reach a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, but fuel hatred, violence, revenge, and only cause each to suffer. The Middle East needs peace built on dialogue and the courage of fraternity,” Pope Francis wrote on ‘X’.
“I continue to follow with sorrow and apprehension what is happening in Israel and Palestine. So many people killed, and others injured,” National Catholic Reporter then quoted the Pope at the end of his weekly general audience.
Israel, which usually supplies fuel to Gaza, suspended all transfers following Hamas’ October 7 attack on the country. In this attack, Hamas launched a sudden ground, air, and sea offensive against Israel, with over 2,500 fighters crossing the border and causing destruction in southern towns. This resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 people, primarily civilians, and the taking of over 220 hostages.
After the outbreak of the war, Israel imposed a complete blockade on the coastal enclave, barring the entry of fuel. The first two aid convoys since the conflict began were allowed into Gaza over the weekend, transporting a total of 34 trucks filled with food and medical supplies.
The United Nations has asserted that at least 100 trucks a day are needed to meet the basic needs of Gaza’s 2.4 million inhabitants, according to The Times of Israel.
Since the early days of the war, the military has been instructing Gazans to relocate to the southern part of the coastal enclave, even using aerial leaflet drops. The army’s plan is to intensify its attacks in the north. According to the Israel Defence Forces, approximately 7,00,000 people, out of an estimated 1.1 million in the northern Gaza population, have evacuated to the south. However, hundreds of thousands remain in the north, as Hamas encourages them to stay.
Meanwhile, Israel would allow the entry of food, water, and medical supplies from Egypt into southern Gaza for Palestinian civilians, as long as these supplies do not reach Hamas. However, fuel remains excluded from the list, The Times of Israel reported citing an Israeli defence source.
The death toll from Israel’s attacks stands at more than 5,700, according to unverified figures provided by the Hamas-run health ministry, The Times of Israel reported. (ANI)