Pope Francis Urges Release Of Hamas Hostages, Expresses Concern Over Gaza Siege (Image:VaticanNews)
Pope Francis on Wednesday called on the militant Palestinian resistance group Hamas to release all the hostages they have captured so far after leading an unprecedented Saturday attack on Israel. Pope condemned the situation of both the battle-sides and expressed critical concerns over the Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza.
He expressed woeful feelings to the people and their families who are forced to witness a feast day (Sunday is considered as the feast day or Lord’s day for the global christian community) in a mournful manner. The Pope was addressing his regular weekly audience and defended Israel’s strikes on Hamas as it is the right of people to protect themselves while exposed to an unexpected threat.
Francis also conveyed his worry by the total siege in which Palestinians in Gaza live “where there have also been many innocent victims”. He also pleaded, a few days back, to stop the attacks and silence the weapons. “Terrorism and war do not produce solutions, but only the death and suffering of so many innocent people”, Pope said then.
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The World Council of Churches also disclosed their view on the ongoing Israel-Hamas tensions recently. The WCC General secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay in an official statement said that the council is extremely concerned over the risk involved in the “spiraling conflict between Israel and Palestinian armed groups’’. He condemned the situation of both Israelis and Palestinians as they are alike in the inevitable tragic consequences of the war “following a period of escalating tensions and violence in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and president of the Bishops” Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), reiterated that “Violence is never a solution. Retribution is never a contribution to peace”, reported the Vatican News.
The Patriarchs and heads of Churches in Jerusalem also called for the immediate cessation of all violence and military activities, reiterating that everything is lost with war, says reports.
