Vatican city: Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday joined patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem in calling for peace in Gaza, Vatican News reported. "Today I renew a strong appeal both to the parties involved and to the international community, that an end be put to the conflict in the Holy Land, which has caused so much terror, destruction, and death," Pope Leo stated. He also emphasized the urgent need for the safe entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the protection of civilians.
According to Anadolu Agency, the pontiff further appealed for the release of all hostages, the establishment of a permanent ceasefire, and the facilitation of safe entry for humanitarian aid. He underscored the importance of respecting humanitarian law, particularly the obligations to protect civilians and prohibitions against collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force, and forced displacement.
Patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem condemned a recent settler assault on the Christian town of Taybeh in the central West Bank, describing it as part of a troubling pattern of violence aimed at intimidating Palestinian communities. In their joint statement, they criticized Israeli police for downplaying the incident as mere property damage, arguing that such characterizations distort the truth and fail to address violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including the right to religious freedom and the protection of cultural heritage.
The church leaders also denounced disinformation campaigns by settler-affiliated groups, warning that these narratives seek to discredit victims and deflect international scrutiny. They called upon the Israeli government to hold the perpetrators accountable, ensure consistent protection for the people of Taybeh, and uphold its obligations under international law.
Israel's actions in Gaza have led to the deaths of nearly 63,000 Palestinians since October 2023. The full blockade of the Palestinian enclave, enforced since early March, has resulted in catastrophic conditions for the 2.4 million residents, causing famine, widespread disease, and the collapse of essential services. In response to the situation, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.