Pope Francis lashes out against Israeli bloodshed in Middle East

Pope Francis has joined growing voices to condemn Israeli strikes on Lebanon, describing the bloodbath as a “terrible escalation” of the Middle East conflict.

He disclosed this during his weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday. The comment came just two days after he canceled meetings due to a mild flu.

While Francis did not directly name Israel, he expressed being “saddened by news from Lebanon in recent days that bombardments have caused much destruction and many victims.

Also Read: Video: Israel’s airstrikes in Southern Lebanon intensify, thousands displaced

“The statement reads: “I am saddened by the news coming out of Lebanon… but I hope that the international community will make every effort to stop this terrible escalation. This is unacceptable, I express my closeness to the Lebanese people, who have already suffered too much in the recent past,” Francis said.

Meanwhile, Tens of thousands of people have fled southern Lebanon as intense Israeli bombardment across Lebanon kills at least 569 people, including 50 children, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
In response to the attacks, Foreign ministers of Egypt, Iraq and Jordan condemned Israel’s “aggression” against Lebanon, warning that it is “pushing the region towards all-out war”.