‘I ask you to stop, in the name of God: stop the fire!’, asks Pope Francis this Sunday | World and Science

Pope Francis spoke this SundayTiziana Fabi/AFP

Published 05/11/2023 11:53

Pope Francis reiterated this Sunday (05) his call for a ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, the release of hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza, where the situation is “very serious”.

“I continue to think about the serious situation” in the Palestinian territories and in Israel, “where so many people lost their lives,” he said, after praying the Angelus for thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Square.

“I ask you to stop, in the name of God: cease the fire! I hope that all paths are followed to absolutely avoid an escalation of the conflict, that the injured can be helped and aid reaches the population of Gaza, where the humanitarian situation It is very serious. May the hostages be released immediately”

Since the start of the war, on October 7, when Hamas carried out a bloody attack on Israeli soil, the Pope has spoken out a few times, calling for an end to the fighting, the release of hostages and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

At least 1,400 people died in Israel during the attack, most of them civilians, according to authorities. Among the dead, more than 300 were military personnel.

In retaliation, Israel has relentlessly attacked the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

The attacks in response have resulted in more than 9,700 deaths to date, including 4,800 children, according to the Palestinian movement’s latest report.