Victor Ezeja
AdminPope Francis on Wednesday declared that the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas has gone beyond warfare into an act of terror.
The pope stated this while delivering his remarks at St. Peter’s Square, a plaza located directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City in Rome.
Francis said he met separately with relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel and heard directly how “both sides are suffering” from the conflict.
While suing for peace so that both sides would not be consumed with “passions, which in the end, kill everyone”, he said, “this is what wars do. But here we have gone beyond wars.
“This is not war. This is terrorism,” the holy father asserted in his speech which was, however, silent on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas which was concluded few hours prior.
A statement from the Israeli government said no fewer than 50 hostages — women and children — will be released in Gaza over four days and hinted that the ceasefire could be extended.
A Hamas statement, on the other hand, said 150 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and children, held in Israeli jails will also be released as part of the deal.
The truce would also allow the entry of “a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid,” the statement said, adding that the start time of the pause in fighting would be announced within the next 24 hours.
The agreement marks a major diplomatic breakthrough nearly seven weeks after the start of a conflict that has spiralled into a grave humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
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