An urgent appeal demanded a permanent ceasefire, safe entry of humanitarian aid, and full respect for humanitarian law, emphasizing protection of civilians and prohibitions on collective punishment, indiscriminate force, and forced displacement. Gaza faces a likely expanded Israeli offensive in densely populated areas including Gaza City, where famine has been documented. Israel maintains the offensive aims to weaken Hamas and recover hostages, while families warn it may endanger captives. Hamas abducted 251 people on October 7, 2023; most were later released in deals, but about 50 remain in Gaza and Israeli officials believe roughly 20 may still be alive.
Leo was interrupted twice by applause as he read aloud his latest appeal for an end to the 22-month war during his weekly general audience attended by thousands of people in the Vatican's auditorium. History's first American pope also called for the release of hostages taken by Hamas in southern Israel - 50 of them remain in Gaza - and for both sides and international powers to end the war "which has caused so much terror, destruction and death".
"I beg for a permanent ceasefire to be reached, the safe entry of humanitarian aid to be facilitated and humanitarian law to be fully respected," Leo said. He cited international law requiring the obligation to protect civilians and "the prohibition of collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population". Palestinians in Gaza are bracing for an expanded offensive promised by Israel in some of the territory's most populated areas including Gaza City, where famine has been documented and declared.
He has said the offensive is the best way to weaken Hamas and return hostages, but hostages' families and their supporters have pushed back, saying it will further endanger them. Hamas took 251 hostages on October 7 2023 in the attack that also killed about 1,200 people and triggered the war. Most hostages have been released during previous ceasefires or other deals. Israel has rescued eight hostages alive. Of the 50 still in Gaza, Israeli officials believe around 20 are still alive.
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