Pope Francis expressed “deep sorrow” on Wednesday over the deaths of seven charity workers killed by an Israeli attack while delivering aid in Gaza.
“I express my deep sorrow for the volunteers killed while they were distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza,” the 87-year-old pontiff said during his weekly audience at the Vatican.
“I pray for them and their families.”
He reaffirmed his call for humanitarian aid for Gaza’s “exhausted and suffering civilian population” as well as the release of Hamas hostages.
Israel’s defense director described the strike on World Central Kitchen employees as a “grave mistake” on Wednesday, after the fatalities sparked international anger.
The worst Gaza war in history began with Hamas’ October 7 strike, which killed around 1,160 people in Israel, the majority of whom were civilians, according to an AFP assessment of Israeli official data.
According to the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, Israel’s retaliatory attack has killed at least 32,916 individuals, the majority of them were women and children.
During their onslaught on Israel, Palestinian militants also took approximately 250 hostages. Israel claims that approximately 130 people remain in Gaza, 34 of whom are likely dead.