Easter Message: ‘Release hostages’ – Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire

Pope Francis on Easter Sunday called for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine militant group, Hamas.

The Catholic pontiff, who is still recovering from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia, appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday as an aide read out his “Urbi et Orbi” – Latin for “To the city and the world”.

The 88-year-old condemned the “deplorable humanitarian situation” caused by Israel’s 18-month war on Gaza.

“I express my closeness to the sufferings … of all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” Pope said in the message.

“I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”

This comes as Gaza’s civil defence agency said that Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed no fewer than 25 people across the Gaza Strip, including women and children.

Israel had resumed its aerial and ground assault on Gaza on March 18, reigniting fighting after a two-month ceasefire that had paused more than 15 months of war in the coastal territory.

On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the war and bring home the remaining hostages held in Gaza without yielding to Hamas’s demands.

Easter Message: ‘Release hostages’ – Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire