Photo: Collected
Pope Francis said that in the conflict between Palestine and Israel in the Gaza Strip both sides bear responsibility.
"What is happening between Israel and Palestine is a war. And the war is waged by two, not one. Those two who wage war are irresponsible," Pope Francis said in an interview.
Pope Francis has repeatedly called for peace in the Gaza Strip, calling attention to the need for humanitarian access to the enclave and the release of Israeli hostages, as well as a two-state solution to the conflict.
On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 30,800 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.
On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.
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