Pope Francis has called for an investigation into whether Israel’s military operations in Gaza could constitute genocide.
“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide,” the pontiff is reported as saying by Vatican News. He emphasized the need for careful examination to determine if the situation meets the technical definition of genocide as established by international legal standards.
The comments appear in a forthcoming book, Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims Towards a Better World, based on interviews with the pope. The book, released ahead of the pope’s 2025 Jubilee Year, addresses broader themes of migration, human dignity and the pope’s concern for displaced populations.
The remarks are the strongest criticism yet by the pope of Israel’s actions during the ongoing conflict. He previously referred to Israeli attacks as “immoral” and disproportionate, prompting significant controversy.
The war began in October 2023 after a deadly Hamas attack in Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the abduction of over 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has reportedly resulted in over 43,000 deaths in Gaza.
In response to the pope’s remarks, Yaron Sideman, Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See, defended Israel’s actions as self-defense on X (formerly Twitter). Sideman referenced the October 7 attacks, calling them a “genocidal massacre” and rejecting allegations against Israel.
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