Pope Francis said this Wednesday that what is happening in Israel and the Gaza Strip, “this is not war, this is terrorism”, after receiving today Israeli relatives of hostages held by the Islamist group Hamas and Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

“Let us remember to persistently pray for those who are suffering due to wars in many parts of the world. especially for the dear people of Ukraine, Israel and Palestine,” – this was the new address of the Pope at the end of the general audience held in St. Peter’s Square.

After the call, Dad explained that received “two delegations, one from Israelis whose family members are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip, and the other from Palestinians whose family members are imprisoned in Israel.”

“They suffer a lot, and I heard each other suffer. Wars do this, but here we have gone beyond wars. This is not war, this is terrorism,” he said.

And again he called for “moving towards peace.” “Pray a lot for peace. May the Lord help us solve our problems and not continue the passions that ultimately kill everyone. Let’s pray for the Palestinian people. Let us pray for the people of Israel for peace,” he said.

You might be interested > Israel and Hamas reach agreement on hostage release and truce

The Vatican has been working in recent days on make today’s meeting easier Popes with Israelis and Palestinians.

The meeting takes place after The Israeli government will accept an agreement with Hamas for the release of 50 kidnapped people in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and a four-day truce.

(EFE)