Pope Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza

Pope Francis on Saturday condemned Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, calling it an act of ‘cruelty’, news organisations have reported. The Pontiff’s condemnation comes after an Israeli government minister, Amichai Chikli, publicly criticized his stand that the international community should study whether Israeli act in Gaza constitutes ‘genocide’ of the Palestinian people.

The Pope has earlier too condemned the Israeli offensive against the Palestinians in Gaza. However, what is new is that the Pope’s condemnation of the Israeli offensive against Gaza comes a few days into Christmas. According to news reports, the Pope in his annual Christmas address to the Catholic cardinals, was referring to fresh Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that killed 25 people on Friday. "Yesterday, children were bombed," the Pope was quoted by news organisations as saying. "This is cruelty. This is not war. I wanted to say this because it touches the heart."