Death toll in Gaza Reaches 11,000, Pope Francis: Enough, Brothers

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with Pope Francis. (Source: Vatican News Vatican Media)

JAKARTA - World Catholic Church leader Pope Francis on Sunday reiterated his plea for an end to Israeli-Palestinian hostilities, calling for more humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, as the number of dead and injured in the area continues to rise.

"Enough brothers, enough," said Pope Francis, adding that those injured in the Gaza Strip must be treated immediately and protection for civilians must be guaranteed, citing Reuters November 13.

On the other hand, Pope Francis also said that the hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas must be released.

Speaking to the faithful in St. Peter's Square, the Vatican after his weekly Angelus prayer, Pope Francis said weapons would never bring peace, and conflict should never spread.

"I am close to all those who suffer, both Palestinians and Israelis," the Pope said, adding that he was praying for them all.

Pope Francis has also called for the creation of a humanitarian corridor, saying that a two-state solution is needed to end the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Separately, Gaza authorities said on Sunday that the death toll from Israel's war in the besieged Palestinian enclave had reached 11,180, quoted from The New Arab.

Meanwhile, the state media office said the dead included 4,609 children and 3,100 women, while 28,200 people were injured.

On the other hand, Israeli authorities said around 1,400 people were killed and 240 others were taken hostage by Hamas in an attack on the country's southern region on October 7.