Vatican City, Holy See

Pope Francis, has for the first time, addressed allegations that Israel's actions in Gaza may meet the criteria for genocide. According to extracts from his upcoming book, 'Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World,' Published by Italy's La Stampa on Sunday (Nov 17), the pontiff has urged a thorough investigation into whether the situation in Gaza aligns with the legal definition of genocide as established by international law.

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The pope wrote, "According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide," and stressed that this claim "should be studied carefully to determine whether (the situation) corresponds to the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies."

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His statement aligns with the United Nations Special Committee, which recently, on Thursday (Nov 14) judged that Israel's conduct of warfare in Gaza "consistent with the characteristics of genocide" and accused it of "using starvation as a method of war" — a claim rejected by Israel and its allies.

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Israel responds

Responding to the Argentinian pontiff, Israel's embassy to the Vatican on Sunday once again asserted its right to self-defence.

"There was a genocidal massacre on 7 October 2023 of Israeli citizens, and since then, Israel has exercised its right of self-defense against attempts from seven different fronts to kill its citizens," it said.

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Quoting its ambassador Yaron Sideman, the embassy on X added, "Any attempt to call it by any other name is singling out the Jewish State."

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Pope Francis has consistently condemned the loss of life in Israel but has, till now, refrained from explicitly using the term genocide. 

Also read | Gaza: 26 killed, 59 missing as Israeli air strike levels residential building

On Sunday, he took to X and said, "Let us #PrayTogether for peace: in martyred Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Sudan."

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"War dehumanises, leading us to tolerate unacceptable crimes. May leaders listen to the cry of the people who long for peace."

(With inputs from agencies)