Pope Francis condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza despite Israel rebuke

Pope Francis spoke out against Israel's continued military actions and the killing of Palestinians in Gaza, drawing a rebuke from Israel's foreign ministry.

On Dec. 21, 2024, the Pope delivered his annual Christmas address to the Vatican's cardinals, and said:

"Yesterday, children were bombed. This is cruelty. This is not war. I wanted to say this because it touches the heart."

This appeared to be a reference to a series of airstrikes carried out by Israel the day before on Dec. 20, which killed at least 25, according to Reuters, quoting medics on the ground.

At least eight died in an apartment in the Nuseirat refugee camp while at least 10, including seven children, died in the town of Jabaila.

Israel rebukes the Pope

The Pope's remarks then drew a rebuke from Israel.

A foreign ministry spokesperson said the Pontiff's remarks were "disappointing" and "disconnected" from "Israel's fight against terrorism, adding, "Enough with the double standards and the singling out of the Jewish state and its people."

In response to the Pope’s statement today: Cruelty is terrorists hiding behind children while trying to murder Israeli children; cruelty is holding 100 hostages for 442 days, including a baby and children, by terrorists and abusing them.

Unfortunately, the Pope has chosen to…

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) December 21, 2024

Pope doubles down

However, this response did not deter the Pope from speaking further on the matter.

On Sunday, Dec. 22, after his weekly Angelus prayer, the Pope said:

"And with pain I think of Gaza, of so much cruelty, of the children being machine-gunned, of the bombings of schools and hospitals. What cruelty."

Israel has been attacking the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked targets in southern Israel, including civilians, killing around 1,200 and abducting over 250. Israel believes some 100 hostages are still in Hamas captivity, although it is unclear how many are still alive.

Since then, Israeli airstrikes and ground military offensives have killed over 45,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians. Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh have both been killed, but Israel's offensives continue with no ceasefire in sight.

Top image from AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA.