Vatican calls for end to Israeli bombardment on Gaza
UN human rights chief Volker Türk also slams Israel’s Gaza campaign as inhumane, urges global intervention to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe
VATICAN CITY (MNTV) — The Vatican issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the enclave “unacceptable” and urging an immediate halt to military operations.
“What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable. International humanitarian law must always apply, and apply to everyone,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, in an interview with Vatican News. “We call for an end to the bombardments and for the necessary aid to reach the population.”
Cardinal Parolin also appealed to the international community to intensify efforts to end the crisis, while calling for the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.
The remarks from the Holy See came as global criticism mounts over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has entered its eighth month.
Humanitarian agencies continue to warn of deteriorating conditions for civilians, many of whom have been displaced multiple times.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday echoed the Vatican’s concerns, describing Israel’s conduct in Gaza as a violation of basic human dignity.
In an interview with Austria’s public broadcaster Ö1, Türk said, “Israel’s actions in Gaza in recent months no longer have anything to do with respect for fundamental principles of humanity.”
He warned that the region faces a “catastrophic” humanitarian situation and called for urgent international intervention.
Türk condemned the mass displacement of civilians and criticized Israel’s blanket designation of vast areas of Gaza as military zones.
“It is very clear that we must talk to the current Israeli government very, very strongly and exert pressure to ensure that these serious violations of international law do not occur,” he added.
Israel has dismissed allegations of war crimes and ethnic cleansing, asserting that its operations are aimed at eliminating threats posed by Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza.
Since the launch of its military campaign in October 2023, Israel’s offensive has killed nearly 54,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to local and international sources.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions against civilians in Gaza.
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