Vatican City, Vatican.- Pope Francis called this Sunday, again, for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and for the Israeli hostages held by Hamas to be released, on the eve of the first anniversary of the attack by the Palestinian Islamist group that sparked the war in Gaza.
“Tomorrow will be the first anniversary of the terrorist attack against the population of Israel, for whom I renew my support. Let us not forget that there are still many hostages in Gaza whose immediate release I ask,” declared the Pope after the Angelus prayer.
“Since that day, the Middle East has been plunged into increasingly serious suffering, with destructive military actions that continue to hit the Palestinian population.” “These are above all innocent civilians, people who should receive the necessary humanitarian aid,” he said.
“I call for an immediate ceasefire, on all fronts, including the Lebanese one.”
Francis invited the international community to act “to put an end to the spiral of revenge and to ensure that attacks, such as the one committed by Iran a few days ago, are not repeated, as they could drag that region into an even greater war.” “All nations have the right to exist in peace and security. Their territories should not be attacked or invaded. Sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed through dialogue and peace,” concluded the Pope, who has called for a ceasefire. to fire on numerous occasions, as well as the release of Israeli hostages and increased humanitarian aid for the Palestinians. The Pontiff then presided over a prayer for peace in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and lamented in his homily “a world in danger” in a time “ravaged by wars.”
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