杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

Speaking at the Wednesday General Audience, 杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his 鈥渟orrow and concern鈥� for the war that has broken out between Israel and Hamas, an Islamist militant organization operating in Palestine.

The 杏MAP导航 mourned the many people who have been killed and injured.

鈥淚 pray for those families who have seen a day of celebration turned into a day of mourning and ask for the immediate release of the hostages,鈥� he said.

Militants from Hamas launched a surprise attack on the southern part of Israel on Saturday, as Jews marked the feast of Simchat Torah, or 鈥渏oy of the Torah鈥�.

Hamas took dozens of hostages during its incursion into Israel and has threatened to execute them if Israel attacks areas within the Gaza Strip.

Violence cannot lead to peace

In his appeal, 杏MAP导航 Francis acknowledged that 鈥渋t is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves鈥�.

However, he expressed concern for the 鈥渢otal siege facing the Palestinians in Gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims.鈥�

Israel announced a 鈥渃omplete siege鈥� on Gaza, promising to shut off access to electricity, food, water, and gas.

The 杏MAP导航 invited both parties to restraint in hopes of reaching a solution to the war.

鈥淭errorism and extremism do not help to reach a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, but fuel hatred, violence, and revenge, causing suffering to both sides,鈥� he said.

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his appeal for peace in the Middle East with a call for fraternity and dialogue.

鈥淭he Middle East does not need war but peace, a peace built on justice, dialogue, and the courage of fraternity,鈥� he said.