'So much suffering in Gaza' says Pope Francis, urges ceasefire

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Dec 2023 17:21
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Pope Francis expresses pain amid the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip and urges a renewed ceasefire hoping for a long-term solution that does not involve weapons.

Nuns look at Pope Francis on a giant monitor set up in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, as he blesses the faithful gathered in the square for the traditional Angelus noon prayer. (AP)

"There is so much suffering in Gaza," and "it pains us that the truce has been broken," said Pope Francis, on Sunday in comments from his private residence that were later broadcast on giant screens in Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City.

The pontiff explained that the end of the ceasefire meant "death, destruction, misery" across the besieged Palestinian territory that even lacked essential supplies.

"I hope that all those involved may reach a new ceasefire agreement as soon as possible and find solutions other than weapons, trying to take courageous paths to peace," reaffirmed the pontiff.

I wish to assure my prayer for the victims of the attack that occurred this morning in the Philippines, where a bomb exploded during Mass. I am close to the families and the people of Mindanao, who have already suffered so much.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 3, 2023

Moreover, the Pope stated, "Many hostages have been freed but so many others are still in Gaza."

However, the pontiff did not refer to the thousands of Palestinians, many of whom are women and children, who, according to freed Palestinian prisoners, face inhumane and difficult circumstances as they are tortured and stripped of their most basic rights and are left in Israeli occupation prisons to their fate

This comes in contrast to the Israeli captives that were released by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza who were seen to be healthy, smiling, and waving goodbye to the Resistance personnel.

By comparing the testimonies of Israeli hostages and #Palestinian liberated prisoners, one can unmistakably see the true face of the brutal occupier.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/NjAg5v4u3e
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 1, 2023

Armenian Bishop in Al-Quds: Christians will never leave this land

An Armenian Bishop in occupied Al-Quds swore to the vandal Israeli settlers that "the Christian community [of al-Quds] will never leave this land" in light of the recurrent, almost daily, violations against the Armenian quarter and Christian houses in occupied al-Quds.

🔴⚡️URGENT : Un riche promoteur immobilier israélo-australien a fait déplacer hier soir des bulldozers et appelé des colons sionistes extrémistes à envahir le quartier des chrétiens arméniens afin de les expulser de la veille ville de Jérusalem. pic.twitter.com/bKosQe2h8Y
— LE RIFAIN LA NOUVELLE DU FRONT (@rifain_nouvelle) November 28, 2023

In a post on X, French politician Jean Luc Melenchon called on Netanyahu and his henchmen to stop the recurrent persecution of Eastern Christians, especially Armenians.

"Netanyahu and his henchmen must stop persecuting, attacking, and expelling Eastern Christians and especially Armenians from Jerusalem," he wrote.

Netanyahu et ses sbires doivent cesser de persécuter, agresser et expulser les chrétiens d'Orient et notamment les Arméniens de Jérusalem. https://t.co/7EVI6FWb8I
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) November 16, 2023

The Armenian community has held residence in al-Quds since the fourth century living southwest of the old city.

The Armenian Quarter is estimated to have an area of 300,000 square meters which is one-sixth of the old city's area.