Headline: Pope Francis Condemns Israeli Military Operation in Gaza, Calls it Terrorism After Meeting with Hostage Families
Lead: Pope Francis has accused Israel of engaging in terrorism rather than war during their military operation in Gaza. The Pope made these remarks after meeting with separate delegations of Palestinian refugees and Israeli relatives of Hamas victims. He called on everyone to pray for peace and described the suffering of both delegations as going beyond wars.
In the hours following the announcement of a ceasefire by Qatar, during which Hamas is expected to release dozens of hostages seized during their October 7 rampage, Pope Francis shared his thoughts on the conflict. The agreement between Hamas and Israel could potentially lead to a second exchange of hostages for prisoners if both parties adhere to the terms. However, it is important to note that many hostages are not covered by the deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s team announced that at least 50 hostages – women and children – will be released over four days, during which a pause in the fighting will be held. The Israeli delegation explained that with the release of every additional ten hostages, there will be an additional day in the pause. These announcements were made following a meeting with Rachel Goldberg, a mother from Chicago who showed footage of the attack that left her son Hersh without an arm before he was taken hostage.
The Palestinian delegation also shared the horrifying experiences of those in Gaza, where Israeli forces have relentlessly bombarded the area, even as Hamas officials warned Palestinian civilians against evacuation. Suhair Anastas, a Gaza resident who was able to leave with her daughter due to her Canadian citizenship, described the unimaginable suffering. Everyone had a different story, but they all end up the same: people are dying, houses [are collapsing] over kids, and you’re losing your family, Anastas said.
When asked about the meeting, Goldberg expressed her gratitude and felt blessed to have met the Pope. She also sensed the Pope’s concern and empathy for all those suffering, both the hostages the Israeli delegation represented and the people in Gaza. Goldberg found hope in the Pope’s words.
However, another member of the Israeli delegation called on Pope Francis to demonstrate his advocacy for the release of all the hostages, stating, I hope the Pope will help by putting pressure on in the world, as he can. Michael Levy, whose brother was taken hostage and sister-in-law was murdered by Hamas, emphasized the anguish of not having any news about his brother for days until it was confirmed he was in the hands of the kidnappers.
Israeli military officials maintain that their campaign is necessary to exert pressure on Hamas for the release of more hostages. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi stated, all these things work together … the maneuver also creates better conditions for the return of the hostages. It deals blows to Hamas, it creates pressure, and we will continue this pressure.
In contrast, Hamas officials have shown no concern for the well-being of Palestinian civilians and have openly declared their intention to continue perpetrating atrocities until Israel is destroyed. Pope Francis, on the other hand, hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and negotiation, urging everyone to pray for peace in the Holy Land.
As the situation in the region intensifies, the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis is undeniable. The Pope’s condemnation of the Israeli military operation as terrorism rather than war emphasizes the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. Let us hope that the difficulties facing both delegations can be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, sparing the Holy Land from further bloodshed and loss of life.
