Pope Calls for Release of Israeli Hostages and Ceasefire in Gaza

Pope Francis has made a plea for an end to the war in Gaza and for the release of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas. In his annual Christmas Day message, the Pope also called for increased humanitarian aid to resolve the dire situation in Gaza. The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7th when Hamas militants attacked Israel, resulting in the death of around 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 240 individuals. According to Hamas, more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed due to Israeli airstrikes. Speaking to a large audience at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the Pope expressed his sadness over the violence endured by both Israelis and Palestinians. He urged for the liberation of the remaining hostages and the cessation of military operations, which have caused numerous innocent civilian casualties. The Pope also touched upon other global conflicts, calling for peace in Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, which have all experienced significant unrest and violence. He further expressed his desire for peaceful resolutions in Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as across Africa and North and South Korea. Lastly, Pope Francis highlighted the plight of millions of migrants worldwide, emphasizing those who have lost their lives in desperate journeys, referring to them as "the little Jesuses of today".