Pope Francis issued a renewed appeal on Sunday for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and urged the protection of Gaza’s civilian population amidst the ongoing conflict.

In a message, the Pope expressed his sorrow over the situation in Israel and Palestine, emphasizing his concern for the well-being of children, the sick, the elderly, women, and all civilians who should not become victims of the conflict.

He emphasized the importance of respecting humanitarian law, particularly in Gaza, and implored that innocent lives be spared. The Pope also decried the continuation of wars, stating that they always result in defeat.

The death toll from the Israel-Hamas war is nearing 4,000, with over 10,000 injured individuals. The conflict has caused significant loss of life and suffering, particularly among Gaza’s civilian population, including women and children.

The Israeli military confirmed that Hamas is holding 155 hostages since a deadly attack last week, while China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, called on Israel to halt its collective punishment of Gaza and urged all parties to return to the negotiating table.

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British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called on Israel to avoid causing civilian casualties in its preparations for a ground invasion of Gaza.

The Arab League and African Union have expressed grave concerns that Israel’s planned ground invasion of Gaza could lead to a genocide of unprecedented proportions, calling on the United Nations and the international community to prevent such a catastrophe.

In support of Israel, the Christian United for Israel in Nigeria (CUFI) offered words of encouragement and condemned the “savage and dastard act” by Hamas, stating that there is no justification for acts of terrorism against Israel, and the nation has the right to defend its citizens against violent attacks.

CUFI, in conjunction with Christian associations, stands in solidarity with Israel and offers prayers for its safety and well-being.

The ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine continues to raise concerns globally, with calls for peace and the protection of innocent lives.

Pope Francis and various international leaders are emphasizing the importance of respecting humanitarian principles and avoiding civilian casualties.