Cardinal Parolin Condemns Gaza Violence, Calls for Hostage Release

Two years after the Hamas attack on Israel and the resulting war that devastated Gaza, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin condemned the violence as inhuman and emphasized the ongoing suffering of hostages and civilians. Meanwhile, in Germany, public broadcaster ZDF has been criticized for censoring comments and coverage critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, suppressing terms like "genocide" despite widespread public concern and expert opinions labeling Israel's conduct as such. The blockade of Gaza since 2007, intensified after Hamas' electoral win, has crippled essential services, with flotillas attempting to break the siege facing Israeli military force, symbolizing global solidarity with Gaza despite repression. A recent analysis warns that repeated US-led Israeli pull-backs, though framed as peace efforts, have historically cost many Gazan lives and risk enabling Hamas' resurgence and renewed violence, calling for disarmament and deradicalization as prerequisites for lasting peace. Additionally, the global outrage over Gaza contrasts sharply with muted responses to other conflicts, such as the abduction of Greek Cypriots by Turkish forces, highlighting selective international attention and accusations of anti-Semitism disguised as humanitarian concern in Gaza protests.