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Pope Francis calls for investigation into Gaza genocide

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Nov 2024 15:51
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

Extracts from his book show the Pope calling for a careful investigation to determine if Israeli actions align with the technical definition of genocide.

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  • Pope Francis delivers his blessing during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, November 17, 2024 (AP)
    Pope Francis delivers his blessing during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, November 17, 2024 (AP)

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.

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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." 

The pope has consistently advocated for a ceasefire in the embattled Strip. Reflecting on the scale of the ongoing genocide, he remarked that the war has become "too much."

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

In his annual Christmas message last year, Pope Francis said Israeli strikes are reaping an "appalling harvest" of innocent civilians in Gaza.

In a speech to thousands of people in the Vatican's St. Basilica, he said, "How many innocents are being slaughtered in our world? In their mothers’ wombs, in odysseys undertaken in desperation and search of hope, and in the lives of all those little ones whose childhood has been devastated by war. They are the little Jesuses of today."

"May peace come in Israel and Palestine, where war is devastating the lives of those people. I embrace them all, particularly the Christian communities of Gaza and the entire Holy Land."

"I plead for an end to the military operations with their appalling harvest of innocent civilian victims and call for a solution to the desperate humanitarian situation by opening the provision of humanitarian aid."

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