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In a sobering call to the international community, Pope Francis has implored further investigation into the allegations of genocide in Gaza, marking his first public foray into these claims through his upcoming book "Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World". These remarks come amidst the backdrop of a conflict that has seen a significant loss of life and has been the subject of intense scrutiny from humanitarian organizations worldwide.
Reflecting upon the harrowing situation, Pope Francis noted in extracts of his book, published in Italy’s La Stampa daily, that according to certain experts, the unfolding events in Gaza exhibit characteristics synonymous with genocide. He emphasized the necessity for meticulous examination to ascertain if the plight of Palestinians in Gaza aligns with the technical decree of genocide as outlined by legal experts and international bodies.
The Pope's calculated choice of words, specifically avoiding a personal backing of the term "genocide," is indicative of his desire for an authoritative investigative process. His prior statements have lamented the sizable toll inflicted by Israeli operations, which have been reported by the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza to have caused at least 43,846 casualties, predominantly among civilians.
The international reaction to the pontiff's comments is set against recent judgments by a United Nations Special Committee, which has deemed Israel's actions in Gaza consistent with genocide, proclaiming the use of starvation as a method of warfare. However, these conclusions have met with disapproval from the United States, Israel’s principal ally.
The Vatican's stance dovetails a legally-charged environment wherein South Africa has presented a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, enjoying the backing of countries such as Turkey, Spain, and Mexico.
In his book, Pope Francis also reiterates his calls for the liberation of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian Islamist militants. The ordeal commenced with an attack on October 7, claiming 1,206 lives from Israel, primarily civilians, based on official records in concert with an AFP tally. This same incident led to the abduction of 251 individuals by Hamas fighters, with 34 presumed deceased by the Israeli military and 97 still captive within Palestinian confines.
Demonstrating his persistent advocacy for victims, on Thursday, Pope Francis met personally with 16 individuals released after enduring months as hostages in Gaza, offering them solace and support in the aftermath of their grueling captivity.