Pope Leo, in his first Christmas sermon as pontiff, lashed out at the conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, making an unusually forthright appeal during a service that is typically solemn and spiritual as Christians worldwide mark the birth of Jesus Christ.&nbsp;The first American pope said the story of Jesus being born in a stable symbolised God having “pitched his fragile tent” among humanity. “How, then, ‍can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?” he quested, ALJAZZERA reported.<h3>Leo frequently lamented the conditions for Palestinians</h3>Leo is celebrating his first Christmas after he was elected as pope in May by the ‍world’s cardinals to ⁠succeed the late Pope Francis. He has a quieter, more diplomatic style than his predecessor and usually avoids making any political references during his sermons.&nbsp;After becoming the new pope, he frequently lamented the conditions for Palestinians in Gaza multiple times and said that the only solution to the decades-long war between Israel and Palestine must consider a Palestinian state.&nbsp;Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire in October following two years of heavy bombardment and military action in Gaza. However, humanitarian agencies warn that aid reaching the devastated enclave remains insufficient, with nearly the entire population rendered homeless after repeated displacement caused by Israeli strikes.&nbsp;Leo in Thursday’s service with thousands in ‌St Peter’s Basilica also highlighted the conditions for the homeless globally and the destruction caused by the war. “Fragile is the flesh of defenceless ⁠populations, tried by so many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds,” said the pope.&nbsp;“Fragile are the minds and lives of young people forced to take up arms, who on the ‌front lines feel the senselessness of what is asked of them and the falsehoods that fill the pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths,” he ‍added.

After becoming the new pope, he frequently lamented the conditions for Palestinians in Gaza multiple times and said that the only solution to the decades-long war between Israel and Palestine must consider a Palestinian state.

Pope Leo, in his first Christmas sermon as pontiff, lashed out at the conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, making an unusually forthright appeal during a service that is typically solemn and spiritual as Christians worldwide mark the birth of Jesus Christ. The first American pope said the story of Jesus being born in a stable symbolised God having “pitched his fragile tent” among humanity. “How, then, ‍can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?” he quested, ALJAZZERA reported. Leo frequently lamented the conditions for Palestinians Leo is celebrating his first Christmas after he was elected as pope in May by the ‍world’s cardinals to ⁠succeed the late Pope Francis. He has a quieter, more diplomatic style than his predecessor and usually avoids making any political references during his sermons. After becoming the new pope, he frequently lamented the conditions for Palestinians in Gaza multiple times and said that the only solution to the decades-long war between Israel and Palestine must consider a Palestinian state. Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire in October following two years of heavy bombardment and military action in Gaza. However, humanitarian agencies warn that aid reaching the devastated enclave remains insufficient, with nearly the entire population rendered homeless after repeated displacement caused by Israeli strikes. Leo in Thursday’s service with thousands in ‌St Peter’s Basilica also highlighted the conditions for the homeless globally and the destruction caused by the war. “Fragile is the flesh of defenceless ⁠populations, tried by so many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds,” said the pope. “Fragile are the minds and lives of young people forced to take up arms, who on the ‌front lines feel the senselessness of what is asked of them and the falsehoods that fill the pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths,” he ‍added.

After becoming the new pope, he frequently lamented the conditions for Palestinians in Gaza multiple times and said that the only solution to the decades-long war between Israel and Palestine must consider a Palestinian state.

'How can we not think of Gaza?': Pope Leo calls out Palestinian suffering in Gaza in his first Christmas sermon

Israeli troops fired at Palestinian protesters who hurled firebombs and burned tires from behind the Gaza Strip's border fence Saturday, with the Gaza health ministry reporting 24 injuries.

"Twenty-four civilians were injured, including 10 children," the ministry said in a statement.

"Two of the injuries are critical, one of whom is a 13-year-old boy, who was hit in the head east of Gaza City."

The Israeli army told AFP "hundreds of rioters and demonstrators" had gathered along the border fence.

"Troops are prepared in the area and are using riot dispersal means, and if necessary, .22 calibre rounds," the army said.

The Hamas Islamic movement that rules Gaza had called a protest Saturday to mark the burning 52 years ago of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

"Al-Aqsa Mosque is a red line, and any attack on it will be met with valiant resistance from our people," the movement said in a statement.

The protest came exactly three months since Israel and Hamas reached a truce following their deadliest fighting in years.

Over 11 days in May, Israel pounded Gaza with airstrikes in response to rockets fired from the enclave.

Hamas said it took action after Israeli security forces stormed Al-Aqsa.

Reconstruction in Gaza has stalled since a May 21 ceasefire, in part because of a crippling blockade Israel has maintained on the enclave since Hamas seized power in 2007.

On Thursday, Israel announced it would allow funds from Qatar to reach impoverished Palestinians in Gaza. Other restrictions remain.

In 2018, Gazans began a protest movement demanding an end to Israel's blockade and a right for Palestinians to return to lands they fled after the Jewish state was founded.

The Hamas-backed weekly demonstrations, often violent, sputtered as Israel killed some 350 Palestinians in Gaza over more than a year.&nbsp;

Israeli troops fired at Palestinian protesters who hurled firebombs and burned tires from behind the Gaza Strip's border fence Saturday, with the Gaza health ministry reporting 24 injuries.

Israeli troops fired at Palestinian protesters who hurled firebombs and burned tires from behind the Gaza Strip's border fence Saturday, with the Gaza health ministry reporting 24 injuries. "Twenty-four civilians were injured, including 10 children," the ministry said in a statement. "Two of the injuries are critical, one of whom is a 13-year-old boy, who was hit in the head east of Gaza City." The Israeli army told AFP "hundreds of rioters and demonstrators" had gathered along the border fence. "Troops are prepared in the area and are using riot dispersal means, and if necessary, .22 calibre rounds," the army said. The Hamas Islamic movement that rules Gaza had called a protest Saturday to mark the burning 52 years ago of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam. "Al-Aqsa Mosque is a red line, and any attack on it will be met with valiant resistance from our people," the movement said in a statement. The protest came exactly three months since Israel and Hamas reached a truce following their deadliest fighting in years. Over 11 days in May, Israel pounded Gaza with airstrikes in response to rockets fired from the enclave. Hamas said it took action after Israeli security forces stormed Al-Aqsa. Reconstruction in Gaza has stalled since a May 21 ceasefire, in part because of a crippling blockade Israel has maintained on the enclave since Hamas seized power in 2007. On Thursday, Israel announced it would allow funds from Qatar to reach impoverished Palestinians in Gaza. Other restrictions remain. In 2018, Gazans began a protest movement demanding an end to Israel's blockade and a right for Palestinians to return to lands they fled after the Jewish state was founded. The Hamas-backed weekly demonstrations, often violent, sputtered as Israel killed some 350 Palestinians in Gaza over more than a year.

Israel fires on protesting Palestinians in Gaza, 24 wounded

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'How can we not think of Gaza?': Pope Leo calls out Palestinian suffering in Gaza in his first Christmas sermon

Israel fires on protesting Palestinians in Gaza, 24 wounded