Israel Asserts Moral Obligation to Retrieve Hostages in Response to Pope’s Concerns

Vatican City: Israel’s embassy to the Holy See stated on Monday that its military operation in the Gaza Strip adheres to international law and aims to minimize harm to civilians. This declaration followed Pope Francis’s expression of sadness over the renewed heavy Israeli bombings during his Angelus message on Sunday.

According to Ansa News Agency, the embassy note emphasized that Israel’s actions are in full compliance with international law. The statement highlighted Israel’s efforts to reduce collateral damage, contrasting these with Hamas’s deliberate targeting of civilians. The embassy underscored that extraordinary measures are taken by Israel to minimize civilian harm.

The statement also addressed ongoing ceasefire violations by Hamas, which reportedly uses these periods to rebuild its military capabilities. The note expressed concern over the 59 hostages still detained in Gaza under inhumane conditions, affirming Israel’s moral responsibility to secure their release.

In his Angelus message, Pope Francis conveyed his distress over the heavy bombings and the resulting casualties in Gaza. He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the resumption of dialogue to ensure the release of hostages and achieve a lasting ceasefire. The pontiff also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for urgent international and local commitment to address the crisis.