Pope Francis Urges Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid in Israel-Palestine Conflict

Pope Francis, in a heartfelt plea on Sunday, reiterated his call for an immediate end to hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians. Speaking from St. Peter's Square after his weekly Angelus prayers, the pontiff passionately declared, "Enough, enough brothers, enough." His words were accompanied by a plea for urgent care for the wounded in the Gaza Strip and the assurance of protection for civilians. Pope Francis also emphasized the necessity of freeing hostages held by Hamas.
The 86-year-old Pope, expressing his stance on the ongoing conflict, asserted that the use of arms would never bring about peace. He urged that the already devastating situation should not escalate any further, underlining the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
"I am close to all those who suffer, Palestinians and Israelis," Pope Francis declared, extending his prayers to both sides involved in the conflict. This empathetic stance aligns with his previous calls for compassion and solidarity amidst the crisis.
In response to the dire situation in Gaza, Israel announced its readiness to evacuate infants from the region's largest hospital. However, Palestinian officials reported that people inside the hospital remained trapped amid the intensifying fighting nearby.
Gaza has seen minimal humanitarian aid since Israel declared war on Hamas over a month ago. The conflict erupted after militants carried out attacks in southern Israel, resulting in a tragic toll of about 1,200 lives lost and over 200 individuals taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.
Pope Francis, consistent in his advocacy for humanitarian efforts, had previously called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors. Additionally, he has emphasized the importance of a two-state solution to bring an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict. His words reflect a commitment to finding peaceful resolutions and alleviating the suffering of those caught in the crossfire of this longstanding and deeply rooted conflict.