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Pope Francis Calls for Investigation Into Potential Genocide in Gaza. In a new book, Pope Francis calls for an investigation to determine if Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide, citing experts' concerns. The Pope urges a thorough analysis by jurists and international bodies to evaluate if the situation in Gaza qualifies as genocide under UN standards. Genocide is defined as acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, according to the United Nations. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claims over 43,000 people have died in Israel’s military campaign, though it does not distinguish between civilians and fighters. Israel asserts it takes measures to minimize civilian casualties, including warnings to evacuate, while continuing operations against Hamas. The United Nations reports nearly 70% of verified Gaza war deaths are women and children, emphasizing the heavy toll on non-combatants. The conflict escalated after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7 last year, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages, with dozens still held. The UN states Hamas committed rape, gang rape, and “sexualized torture” during the October 7 attacks, with credible evidence suggesting such violence continues. Yaron Sideman, Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, labels the October 7 attacks as a "genocidal massacre" and defends Israel's actions as self-defense. In the same book, the Pope stresses the need for global cooperation on migration, opposing restrictive laws driven by fear or political gain, and calling for "globalized charity.”
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