Pope Francis says Israel’s genocide accusation should be investigated

Pope Francis has called for an investigation into the accusation that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip in his forthcoming book, Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on Sunday.

“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide. It should be carefully examined to see if it meets the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies,” La Stampa quoted the head of the Catholic Church as saying say.

Israel is facing massive international criticism due to the high number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the catastrophic lack of aid supplies.

South Africa has filed a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague for genocide.

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, also in The Hague, applied in May for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders for carrying out the war.

Israel has bombarded the coastal strip since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health estimates the death toll in the Gaza Strip at more than 43,000. The figure cannot be independently verified.

The book in which the Pope made comments is titled “Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World.” It will be released in Italy on Tuesday.