VATICAN CITY (TDI): Pope Francis on Saturday denounced the Israeli bombing of children in Gaza as an act of “cruelty,” following reports from Gaza’s civil defense agency that an Israeli airstrike had killed seven children from one family.
The rescue agency detailed that an Israeli strike on Friday in northern Gaza killed 10 members of a family, including seven children.
Speaking to members of the Holy See government, Pope Francis expressed his dismay: “Yesterday, they did not allow the Patriarch of Jerusalem into Gaza as promised. Yesterday, children were bombed. This is cruelty, not war. I want to say it because it touches my heart.”
The ongoing violence in Gaza, over 14 months into Israel’s bombardment campaign, continues to devastate the Palestinian territory, even as international mediators push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Also Read: Pakistan Welcomes UNGA Resolution for Ceasefire in Gaza
The Israeli military, responding to the strike, stated it had targeted “several fighters operating within a Hamas military structure who posed a threat to IDF troops in the area.” The military also claimed that initial findings did not align with the reported casualty figures.
Mounting Casualties
The Gaza health ministry reported on Saturday that at least 45,227 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed since the bombardment began in October 2023. Over 107,000 have been injured, with 21 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.
Pope Francis, 88, has intensified his criticism of the Israeli offensive in recent weeks. In November, he remarked that “the invader’s arrogance… prevails over dialogue” in “Palestine.”
In an upcoming book, he calls for a careful examination of whether the situation in Gaza meets the criteria for genocide—an assertion strongly denied by Israel.
Also Read: Pakistan Vehmently Condemns Israeli Aggression Against Syria
Since 2013, the Holy See has officially recognized the State of Palestine and maintains diplomatic relations while advocating for a two-state solution.
Dire Conditions in Gaza
UNRWA Senior Emergency Officer Louise Wateridge described Gaza on Friday as a “graveyard” amid harsh winter rains, inadequate shelter, and continued hostilities. Speaking from Nuseirat camp, she said, “An entire society here is now a graveyard. Over two million people are trapped.”
Wateridge highlighted the dire living conditions: “Most people are living under fabric; they don’t even have waterproof structures. With 69% of the buildings damaged or destroyed, there’s nowhere safe for people to seek shelter.”
In October, Israeli legislators barred UNRWA from operating in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem, raising the possibility of similar restrictions on other aid organizations.
