Pope Francis has called for an investigation into whether Israel’s strikes on Gaza constitute genocide, according to excerpts from an upcoming book.
Israel’s attacks, which have resulted in more than 40,000 deaths, are widely viewed as retaliation for the October 7, 2023 assault by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel.
In the book, the pope states, “According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide.” He emphasizes the need for this to be carefully investigated to determine if it meets the formal definition as determined by legal experts and international bodies. These comments were first reported by the Italian daily La Stampa on Sunday.
This marks the first time Pope Francis has used the term genocide concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza, according to a report by the Associated Press. Previously, in September, he had suggested that Israel’s military actions in both Gaza and Lebanon were immoral and disproportionate.
The comments are part of a forthcoming book, “Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World”, scheduled for release ahead of the 2025 Jubilee. The book, authored by Hernán Reyes Alcaide, is based on interviews with the pope.
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