Pope Francis Supports Ceasefire in Gaza
Pope Francis, the leader of Catholics worldwide, expressed support for a ceasefire in Gaza during a speech.
During his speech on Sunday, June 9, Pope Francis called for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire, and the release of captives by the Zionist regime and Hamas.
More than eight months have passed since the war between Hamas and Israel began, resulting in the deaths of approximately 37,000 people in Gaza, most of whom were women, children, and civilians. Around 85 percent of Gaza’s population has also been displaced from their homes, and much of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed.
According to the Associated Press news network, the Pope stated in this regard: “I urge the international community to act immediately and by all means to help the people of Gaza, who have been impoverished by relentless war. Humanitarian aid must reach those in need, and no one can prevent it.”
The Pope also expressed support and hope for the acceptance of a new ceasefire plan, adding: “I hope that the proposed plans for peace, in all aspects and for the liberation of captives, for the sake of Palestinians and Israelis, are immediately accepted, although negotiations in this regard will not be easy.”
The plan Pope Francis referred to was announced in recent weeks by Joe Biden, the President of the United States. He had stated in this regard that the Zionist regime has proposed to Hamas a new three-phase plan that outlines a roadmap for ending the conflicts in Gaza and freeing captives.
The phases of this proposal are as follows:
- A comprehensive ceasefire. Withdrawal of the occupying regime’s military from all residential areas and the release of some captives held by Hamas, including the elderly, wounded, and women, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners.
- An indefinite halt to hostilities in exchange for the release of the remaining captives.
- A program to begin the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza, which according to United Nations reports, 60 percent of its vital infrastructure has been destroyed due to indiscriminate attacks by the Zionist regime.
The aforementioned plan has received regional and international support; however, Hamas has not yet provided any formal response to this plan. International and regional efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement continue.
