Francis opened his annual Christmas address to the Catholic cardinals who lead the Vatican’s various departments with what appeared to be a reference to Israeli airstrikes on Friday that killed at least 25 Palestinians in Gaza.
On Saturday mourners in Gaza held funerals for 19 Palestinians — 12 of them children — killed in Israeli strikes on Friday and overnight.
In book excerpts published last month, the pontiff said some international experts said that “what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide”.
Pope Francis (C) delivers a speech during a private audience to exchange Christmas greetings with Vatican employees at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican. (Photo: Andreas Solaro/ AFP)Israel’s foreign ministry said that Israel was defending itself against the cruelty exemplified by Hamas militants “hiding behind children while trying to murder Israeli children,” holding 100 hostages and abusing them.
“Israel makes extraordinary efforts to prevent harm to innocents, while Hamas makes extraordinary efforts to increase harm to Palestinian civilians,” the ministry said.
One strike hit a residential building in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least seven, including five children and one woman, and injuring 16 others, health officials said.
One man cradled a tiny shroud-wrapped body as mourners gathered.
And Saturday night, large explosions could be seen on the Gaza skyline.
Wounded Palestinians, including children, are brought to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital for medical treatment following the Israeli attack on a house belonging to Abu Samra family in Deir al-Balah, Gaza.(Photo: Ashraf Amra/ Anadolu via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry said there was ongoing intense and heavy bombing of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, which it said was occurring in an “unprecedented manner” and without prior warning.
“The bombing is being conducted with explosives and tank fire, directly targeting us while we are present inside the hospital departments,” the ministry said.
Dr. Husam Abu Safiyeh asserted that the intensive care unit, maternity ward and other departments were being targeted, and said evacuating would mean transferring 66 patients.
There was no immediate response to questions about the reported evacuation order.
Safiyeh has said the facility faced “severe shortages” including of food and asserted that requests for essential medical supplies and ways to maintain oxygen, water and electricity systems “have largely gone unmet.”
The Israeli military organization dealing with humanitarian affairs for Gaza said Saturday it had led an operation delivering thousands of food packages, flour and water to the Beit Hanoun area in the north.
With wires
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