Pope: Investigate Whether Genocide Takes Place in Gaza

Meanwhile, Hamas says it is ready for a truce

We need to see if genocide is taking place in Gaza. This is what Pope Francis wrote in his new book, “Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims on the Way to a Better World,” which will be released on November 19, some excerpts of which were published by the Italian newspaper Stampa.

“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide. This should be carefully examined to determine whether it meets the technical definition formulated by lawyers and international organizations.” In the volume, the Holy Father also spoke about migration: “No country can be left alone, and no one can think of solving this problem in isolation with more restrictive and repressive laws,” and on the environment: “Time is running out, we don’t have much left to save the planet, and they go, they go out and they stand up for themselves. And they don’t just do it for themselves, they do it for us and for those who will come after.”

The Israeli Embassy to the Holy See responded to these actions via X social media, explaining that “on October 7, 2023, the genocide of Israeli citizens took place, and since then Israel has been fulfilling its duty of self-defense against attacks coming from seven different fronts to kill Israeli citizens. Any attempt to call this self-defense by any other name means isolating the Jewish state.”

Again, regarding Gaza, particularly from France, there is news of Hamas’s possible willingness to go for a truce. A senior Hamas official told Agence France-Presse that the movement is ready for a ceasefire and is asking US President-elect Donald Trump to pressure Israel to stop attacks on Gaza.