Vatican City: Pope Francis has called for a closer examination of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, suggesting it could fit the definition of genocide. The remarks were revealed in excerpts of a forthcoming book, published by La Stampa on Sunday.
The pope cited international experts who claim the events in Gaza bear characteristics of genocide.
“We should investigate carefully to assess whether this fits into the technical definition formulated by international jurists and organizations,” he said.
Francis’ comments represent his strongest criticism yet of Israel’s actions in its year-long conflict with Hamas.
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Ongoing Legal Battle
In December, South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of violating the Genocide Convention.
In January, the ICJ directed Israel to ensure its forces commit no genocidal acts. The court has not yet ruled on whether genocide has occurred in Gaza.
Israel’s Response
Israel dismissed the genocide accusations as baseless.
Yaron Sideman, Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, defended his country’s actions, emphasizing self-defense after Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.
“There was a genocidal massacre of Israeli citizens, and since then, Israel has exercised its right to defend itself,” Sideman posted on social media.
He criticized efforts to label Israel’s actions otherwise, calling it “singling out the Jewish state.”
Escalating Criticism
Francis, leader of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church, is known for promoting de-escalation in conflicts. However, he has recently intensified his criticism of Israel’s military campaign.
In September, he condemned the deaths of Palestinian children in Gaza. He also criticized Israel’s airstrikes in Lebanon, describing them as “beyond morality.”
Context of the Conflict
Israel launched its Gaza campaign following the October 7 Hamas-led assault on southern Israeli communities. The attack resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
Since then, Israel’s military operations have killed more than 43,800 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Meetings and Advocacy
Last week, Pope Francis met with former hostages held by Hamas, who are campaigning for the release of others still detained.
The Vatican has not officially commented on the pope’s recent remarks, but its news website reported on the book excerpts, including his reference to genocide.
Francis’ comments may reignite debates over accountability and humanitarian concerns in the protracted Gaza conflict.
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