Pope Francis reiterates call for cease-fire in Gaza

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Pope Francis on Sunday renewed his call for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages, according to the Vatican News.

Amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, the pontiff reiterated his appeals for a cease-fire as well as the release of hostages.

"I implore you to stop, in the name of God ... cease fire," Francis said at the Vatican, ahead of his Angelus prayer.

The pontiff expressed hope that "every possible avenue is pursued" to avoid an escalation of the conflict, to provide assistance to the wounded, and to deliver aid to the population of Gaza, where "the humanitarian situation is extremely dire."

"May we think about the children, all the children involved in this war, as well as in Ukraine and other conflicts: we are killing their future in this way," he said.

"Let's pray that we have the strength to say enough," Francis added.

The death toll from Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip has risen to 9,500, including 3,900 children and 2,509 women, the government media office in the Gaza Strip announced on Saturday.