Pope Francis Calls For Termination Of Fire In Gaza: Many People Lose Their Lives, Think About Children

Pope Francis. (Wikimedia Commons/Paris Orlando)

JAKARTA - World Catholic Church leader Pope Francis on Sunday called for a halt to the war in the Gaza Strip, allowing the entry of humanitarian aid, and hoping the conflict would not spread.

"I continue to think of the critical situation in Palestine and Israel, where many people have lost their lives. I pray that you will stop in the name of God, stop shooting," Pope Francis said in front of the congregation who packed St. Peter's Square, Vatican.

"I hope all efforts are made to avoid widespread conflict, so that injured victims can be saved and aid can reach Gazan society, where the humanitarian situation is very bad," the Pope hoped.

The Pope renewed his call for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attack, focusing on the children, which he underlined "must return to their families".

"Let's think about the children, all the children involved in this war, like in Ukraine and other conflicts, their future is killed," he added.

Earlier, Pope Francis had called for the formation of a humanitarian corridor, saying a two-state solution was needed to end the Israel-Hamas war.

As of Sunday, the death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached 9,770, of which 4,800 have been children since Israel blockaded and bombarded Gaza, after about 1,400 of its citizens were killed in the Hamas militant group attack on 7 October.

Meanwhile, health authorities in the West Bank said the death toll from Palestinians there reached 152 people and 2,100 others were injured.