Vatican City: Pope Francis said Wednesday he was “very worried” by escalating violence in the Middle East after 62 Gazans were massacred by Israeli occupation regime troops while protesting the US embassy’s move to occupied Jerusalem.
“I am very worried about the escalation of tensions in the Holy Land and the Middle East, and about the spiral of violence which moves us ever further away from the path of peace, dialogue and negotiation,” he said during his weekly audience at the Vatican.
“I express my great sorrow for the dead and wounded and I am close through prayer and affection to all those who suffer,” he added.
Calling for “dialogue, justice and peace,” Francis said violence “has never led to peace. War incites war, violence incites violence.”
The Israeli regime has come under mounting international pressure after its forces opened fire on the Gaza border killing 62 protesters who had massed alongside the fence to protest as the US moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem.
At least 2,400 other Palestinians were wounded.
Francis has on several occasions expressed support for a two-state solution, indirectly criticising US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Israel’s claim to occupied Jerusalem as its capital.
