Pope lambasts Israeli policy in Gaza in latest mideast peace appeal

 VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV issued his strongest appeal yet Wednesday for peace in the Middle East and an end to Israeli ethnic cleansing in Gaza as well as a release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. “Today, I once again make a strong appeal to both the parties involved and the international community," the pontiff said during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. "May the conflict in the Holy Land come to an end, a conflict that has caused so much terror, destruction, and death."

 "I plead for the release of all hostages, for the achievement of a permanent ceasefire, for the safe entry of humanitarian aid, and for full respect of humanitarian law, especially the obligation to protect civilians and the prohibitions against collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force, and forced displacement of populations" Leo added.

 "I join the joint declaration by the Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchs of Jerusalem, who yesterday called for 'an end to this spiral of violence, an end to the war, and for the common good of the people to be made a priority,'” the leader of the Roman Catholic Church said.

 Observers said it was the strongest appeal yet by Leo against Israel's ruthless policy of moving Palestinians out of Gaza, coming after his denunciation last week of Britain's forcible removal of Chagos islanders from their homeland.

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