Israel has accused Pope Francis of exhibiting “double standards” following his condemnation of airstrikes in Gaza that killed children, calling such actions “cruelty.”
The Pope's comments came after an Israeli airstrike reportedly killed 10 members of a family, including seven children, in northern Gaza on Friday.
Addressing Holy See officials, Pope Francis expressed regret over the escalation of violence, stating: “Yesterday they did not allow the Patriarch of Jerusalem to enter Gaza as promised. Yesterday they bombed children. This is cruelty, this is not war. “I want to say it because it touches my heart.”
In response, Israel's Foreign Ministry issued a stern statement criticizing the Pope's comments as “disconnected from the real and factual context of Israel's fight against jihadist terrorism.” The ministry highlighted the ongoing conflict, which broke out on October 7 following an attack by Hamas militants. The attack included hostage taking, involving children and babies, and left hundreds of Israelis dead.
“Cruelty is terrorists hiding behind children while trying to murder Israeli children; “Cruelty is keeping 100 hostages for 442 days… Unfortunately, the Pope has decided to ignore all this,” the ministry's statement reads.
Gaza's Civil Defense agency reported that the airstrike targeted a residential area, killing members of the same family and sparking international outrage.