Pope Leo calls for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict

Pope Leo made a “strong appeal” to the global community on Wednesday to end the nearly two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas, calling for a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages held in Gaza and the provision of humanitarian aid.

1news.media informs, citing Reuters, “I once again issue a strong appeal ... so that an end may be put to the conflict in the Holy Land, which has caused so much terror, destruction, and death,” the pontiff said in his weekly audience at the Vatican.

“I implore that all hostages be freed, that a permanent ceasefire be reached, that the safe entry of humanitarian aid be facilitated, and that international humanitarian law be fully respected,” he said.

The pope did not name Israel or the Palestinian militant group Hamas, but said that international law required “the obligation to protect civilians, prohibitions against collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of the population.”