Pope Francis appeals for ceasefire in Gaza, hostages to be freed

Pope Francis me a new appeal to end war in Gaza, after his weekly General Audience on Wednesday. “ conflict in Israel and Palestine is followed with much worry and pain,” he expressed, according to Vatican News. “An immediate humanitarian ceasefire is renewed in my call: re is so much suffering re." “All parties involved are encouraged to resume negotiations,” ded Pope, “and an urgent commitment is called for from everyone to provide humanitarian aid to people of Gaza.”

He emphasized that population of Gaza is “on ir last legs, and need it.” ditionally, Pope Francis renewed appeal for immediate release of all Israeli hostages, stating, “Let all hostages, who h seen hope in truce a few days ago, be freed immediately so that this great suffering for Israelis and Palestinians might come to an end. A plea was me in conclusion, “Please”, he concluded, “no to weapons, yes to peace," reported Vatican News.

Pope meets relatives of Israeli hostages

Earlier, Pope Francis h held separate meetings with relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinians experiencing war, on November 22.  ditionally, use of terms such as "terrorism" and, as asserted by Palestinians, "genocide," was employed by him, creating controversy. meetings, arranged before Israeli-Hamas hostage deal and a temporary cessation of hostilities, involved discussions about suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.

deal marked a significant diplomatic breakthrough since conflict began following Hamas' attack on sourn Israel on October 7. Approximately 20 minutes were spent with 12 relatives of some of 240 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and a similar duration was dedicated to a meeting with 10 Palestinians affected by war, along with priests who provide ministry in region.

Gaza on verge of 'total breakdown'

Gaza Strip is continuing to be heavily bombed by Israel, with focus now on Khan Younis in south. ditionally, fighting has been reported in Rafah near Egyptian border and in Jenin in occupied West Bank. Amid all this, international pressure is increasing over humanitarian crisis. statement by US President Joe Biden suggests that Israel is starting to lose global support over its "indiscriminate bombing" of Gaza.

UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, meanwhile, has stated that rest of Gaza Strip is on brink of a total breakdown of civil order. According to Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza, more than 18,000 people have been killed since start of war, initiated by Israel after Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages.