In his forthcoming book "Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World," Pope Francis has for the first time addressed the fact that the actions of the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza may constitute genocide.

Extracts from the book, published Sunday in Italy’s La Stampa, show the Pope calling for a careful investigation to determine if the Israeli occupation's actions align with the technical definition of genocide as formulated by jurists and international organizations.

"According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide," the Pope wrote, emphasizing the need for rigorous study of these claims. This statement marks the pontiff’s most direct public commentary on the term "genocide" in connection with "Israel’s" military operations in Gaza, although he did not explicitly endorse the term.

Pope Francis has previously condemned the high casualty toll in Gaza, which stands at over 43,846, the majority of whom being women and children. His comments come amid growing international debate on the legality and humanitarian impact of the Israeli occupation's aggression on Gaza.

Recently, a United Nations Special Committee also assessed the occupation's aggression on Gaza as consistent with genocidal characteristics, citing evidence of "using starvation as a method of war."

This report was condemned by the Israeli occupation's ally, the United States. Meanwhile, South Africa, with support from Turkey, Spain, and Mexico, has filed a genocide case against "Israel" before the International Court of Justice.

The Pope has also advocated for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza, which the Resistance is conditioning for a ceasefire on the blockaded Strip.

Numerous condemnations

Pope Francis has habitually decried the Israeli occupation's aggression on Gaza, the last time in September, wherein he condemned the deaths of Palestinian children in Gaza caused by Israeli airstrikes, criticizing the bombings of schools under the pretext of targeting Hamas strongholds as "ugly."

Expressing doubt about either side taking genuine steps toward peace, the pope voiced his concerns after 11 months of genocide.

He mentioned that he holds conversations with a Catholic parish in Gaza on a daily basis and that "they tell me ugly things, difficult things". 

"Please, when you see the bodies of killed children when you see that, under the presumption that some guerrillas are there, a school is bombed, this is ugly," the 87-year-old pontiff said. "It is ugly."