Published December 17,2023
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Pope Francis on Sunday voiced hope that the approaching Christmas vacation will strengthen paths resulting in peace.
Addressing Sunday mass worshippers at St. Peter’s Square, he stated: “Let us not forget our brothers suffering from wars in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and other conflict regions. May Christmas’ approach strengthen ways leading to peace.”
He deplored “grave and painful news” from Gaza, together with airstrikes on “unarmed civilians.”
Francis described Israel’s assaults on Christians and church buildings in Gaza as “terror.”
The pontiff’s deal with got here in the future after Israeli snipers “murdered” a mom and her daughter and shot seven different individuals on the Parish of the Holy Family, the one Catholic church within the Gaza Strip, in line with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
“One (woman) was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety,” stated a patriarchate assertion, including: “No warning was given, no notification was provided. They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents.”
During the present battle, which started on Oct. 7, Israel has hit church buildings, hospitals, and colleges, which beneath the principles of warfare ought to be off-limits.
Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a floor offensive in retaliation for a cross-border assault by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.
At least 18,800 Palestinians, largely youngsters and ladies, have since been killed and 51,000 injured in Israeli assaults, in line with Gaza’s well being authorities.
The Israeli demise toll within the Hamas assault stands at 1,200, whereas greater than 130 hostages are nonetheless held by the Palestinian group in Gaza, in line with official figures.
Source: www.anews.com.tr