In his Christmas message on Monday, the Pope condemned the “desperate humanitarian situation” of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, calling for the release of hostages still held by Hamas and a ceasefire, AFP reported.

“My heart aches for the victims of the terrible attack on October 7, and I call again for the release of those who are still held hostage,” Francis, 87, said in his “Urbi et Orbi” speech. .

“I ask that military operations, which lead to the shocking continuation of innocent civilian casualties, be stopped and that the desperate humanitarian situation be remedied by making efforts for the arrival of humanitarian aid,” added the sovereign pontiff before thousands of pilgrims gathered in the cathedral Saint Peter Maidan

Almost three months after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where 85% of the population has been displaced, according to the UN, is catastrophic.

Humanitarian aid, which is controlled by Israel, trickles in from Egypt and the Israeli border post of Kerem Shalom, far short of the vast needs of the devastated Palestinian territory.

In his message, delivered Sunday night at a Christmas service in St. Peter’s Basilica, he lamented the “noise of gunfire” in Gaza that overshadowed demonstrations in Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ is traditionally born, in the occupied West. bank.

“The eyes and hearts of Christians around the world are turned to Bethlehem, where pain and silence reign today,” he said on Monday.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 that killed around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to the latest official Israeli figures.

Hamas militants also kidnapped about 250 people, of whom 129 are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, according to Israel.

According to the Hamas government, Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which used thousands of bombs, resulted in 20,424 deaths, mostly women, teenagers and children.

In the long term, the sovereign pontiff called for “a solution to the Palestinian issue through sincere and persistent dialogue between the parties, backed by strong political will and the support of the international community.”