O Pope Francis declared on Wednesday 11th that Israel has the right to defense and called on Hamas terrorists to release the hostages kidnapped since the surprise attack on Saturday 7th.
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More than a hundred people, including civilians and some military personnel, were kidnapped by Hamas. The statement was seen as a response to diplomatic pressure, particularly from Israel, with the Pope calling for a firm position on the right to defend against a deliberate attack.
“It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but I am very concerned about the total siege in which the Palestinians live in Gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims,” Francis told thousands at the weekly general audience People in St. Pedro, this Wednesday.
+ War between Hamas and Israel: Death toll rises to 2,100
According to Portal, the pope, who had made “cautious” comments on the conflict, was pressured to make a strong statement on the right to defense of Israel, the target of the unprecedented attack. Terrorists murdered more than two hundred civilians attending a music festival in Israel, 300 meters from the Gaza border.
In his speech, Francis said: “I continue to follow with pain and concern what is happening in Israel and Palestine. So many dead and more injured. I pray for the families who witnessed how a day of celebration turned into a day of mourning and ask for the immediate release of the hostages.” Watch the excerpt from 1 hour onwards.
On Monday the 9th, Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, Raphael Schütz, told Portal that he expected a more decisive statement from the Pope on Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism. “I understand that the Vatican wants peace. We all want peace. But I would like to hear stronger words about Israel’s right to defend itself.”
Almost in response, Francisco said this Wednesday that “terrorism and extremism do not contribute to resolving the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, but rather fuel hatred, violence, revenge and cause suffering on both sides.”
So far, 2,100 people have died in the conflict started by Hamas, and there have been 1,200 victims on the Israeli side.