Pope Francis condemned the Israeli airstrike in Gaza that killed seven children from the same family. He described the attack as an act of “cruelty” rather than legitimate combat.
Speaking to Vatican officials on Saturday, Pope Francis expressed both his grief and outrage. He said, “Children were bombed yesterday. This is not war; this is cruelty,” adding that the event deeply moved him: “I want to say this because it deeply touches my heart.”
The Israeli airstrike hit the Khalla family home in northern Gaza’s Jabalia Nazla. The attack killed ten family members, including seven children. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defence, called it a “massacre.”
He stated that the victims were all from the same family. “Seven children are among the martyrs, the oldest of whom is only six,” Basal reported. Furthermore, fifteen others sustained injuries in the attack.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation. People have drawn attention to the devastating impact of the ongoing violence on civilians, especially children. Pope Francis’s remarks highlight the urgent need to protect innocent lives amid escalating conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, more information will emerge about the event and its broader consequences.
