Pope Francis Calls for Gaza Genocide Investigation

Pope Francis has called for an investigation into whether Israel's military actions in Gaza constitute genocide, marking a significant escalation in his criticism of Israel's conduct during the ongoing conflict. In excerpts from his forthcoming book, 'Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims Towards a Better World', he stated that some experts believe the situation in Gaza has characteristics of genocide and urged careful assessment according to international legal definitions. This is the first time Francis has explicitly suggested such an investigation, following previous comments where he described Israel's actions as immoral and disproportionate. Israel has firmly rejected the genocide accusations, asserting its military operations are focused on combating Hamas. The Vatican has not publicly commented on these remarks, which have drawn attention against a backdrop of ongoing debates about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Pope's statements come as the International Court of Justice continues its deliberations on a case filed by South Africa against Israel for violating the Genocide Convention.