Relatives of Israeli hostages in the hands of an Islamist group Hamas Since October 7th last year, they met today with Papa Francisco and they showed their desire to release 50 people after the agreement, which more kidnapped people released So what Red Cross enter Gaza to find out how they are.

“Even if 50 are released, there will still be 190 left”Rachel Goldberg, the mother of Hersh, a 23-year-old man who she explains was seriously wounded and kidnapped by Hamas after an attack on the Nova music festival, said at a press conference in Rome.

“We want the International Red Cross or any other humanitarian aid organization to come and see each hostage and tell us if they are alive, how they are being treated and what help they need“added this mother, who is part of the group of twelve people received today by Francis at the Vatican.

Regarding the meeting with the Pontiff, with whom they spent about half an hour, she assured that the Pope can achieve this because he has great influence and that she feels listened to and respected. “I think he will do everything he can to help us.”he added.

Francis met today with twelve relatives of Israeli hostages, as well as people close to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, and during the audience assured that what is happening between Israel and Palestine “This is not war, this is terrorism”.

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“The meeting with the Pope is part of the effort to keep this issue open in the consciousness of the whole world. For us, the hostage situation is the most important thing, and We want to keep attention in all media so that they come back soon.“Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See Raphael Schutz explained at a press conference.

In it, some relatives deplored Pope Francis’s talk of “terrorism” from both Israel and the Islamist group.

“Hamas kills innocent people because they are Jews or because they are Israelis.. The deaths in the Gaza Strip are happening because Hamas is using its citizens as human shields,” said one of the relatives.

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“The conversation (with the Pope) was very pleasant and productive. He listened to us with compassion. Hamas is still firing rockets at Israel, it is trying to kill Israelis. Please do not continue to say that what Israel is doing is terrorism.“The other one said.

Goldberg, for his part, added on this occasion: “At our meeting, the Pope regarded the kidnapping as an act of terrorism. And I don’t understand what you mean when you say that Israel is engaged in terrorism.”

Alexandra Arieva, the sister of 19-year-old Karina, who was kidnapped in Nahal Oz, wanted to thank the Pope for his time: “Even if it was for a short time, he met with us, he listened to us. The few who spoke They conveyed a message to our delegation and those who could not come.”

“We are confident that he did and we will take initiatives to help our families“, he decreed.

(EFE)