Pope Francis talking to members of the federal government of the Holy See Saturday condemned Israel’s bombing of youngsters in Gaza as “cruelty.”
The pontiff’s remarks got here a day after an Israeli airstrike had killed seven kids from one household.
“Yesterday they did not allow the Patriarch (of Jerusalem) into Gaza as promised,” the pope mentioned.
“Yesterday kids had been bombed. This is cruelty, this isn’t struggle.
“I want to say it because it touches my heart.”
The criticism was, nonetheless, met with a pointy response from Israel which accused him of double requirements.
In a press release, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman described the pope’s remarks as “particularly disappointing as they are disconnected from the true and factual context of Israel’s fight … a multi-front war that was forced upon it starting on October 7.”
“Enough with the double standards and the singling out of the Jewish state and its people,” he added.
Earlier Friday, Gaza’s civil protection rescue company reported that an Israeli airstrike had killed 10 members of a household within the northern a part of the territory, together with seven kids.
Francis, 88, has referred to as for peace because the struggle began. In latest weeks, he has hardened his remarks towards the Israeli offensive.
In late November he mentioned “the invader’s arrogance … prevails over dialogue” in “Palestine,” a uncommon place that contrasts with the custom of neutrality of the Holy See.
In a lately revealed ebook the pope referred to as for a “careful” research as as to whether the scenario in Gaza “corresponds to the technical definition” of genocide, an accusation rejected by Israel.
Since 2013, the Holy See has acknowledged the State of Palestine, with which it maintains diplomatic relations and helps the two-state resolution.
The newest struggle was triggered by the Hamas incursion of Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which prompted 1,208 deaths and took 251 hostages, of whom 96 stay in Gaza, together with 34 the Israeli navy says are lifeless.
Israel’s genocidal struggle, in distinction, has killed not less than 45,206 individuals, principally ladies and youngsters, in line with the territory’s Health Ministry.
Source: www.dailysabah.com