Pope Francis Describes Israel-Hamas Conflict as 'Terrorism'

His comments come after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, amid criticism from Jewish groups seeking clarification on his remarks.

Pope Francis has met separately with Israeli relatives of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians with family in Gaza, and has described the conflict as having escalated to 'terrorism'.
The Pope's meetings and comments came hours after Israel's government and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, allowing in aid and the release of at least 50 hostages captured by militants in exchange for at least 150 Palestinians jailed in Israel.
Since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, more than 13,000 Gazans have been killed, about 40% of them children, according to medical officials in the Hamas-ruled territory.
Jewish groups have criticized Pope Francis and demanded clarifications over his comments, accusing him of 'publicly accusing both sides of terrorism'.
The Pope has called for prayers so that both sides would 'not go ahead with passions, which, in the end, kill everyone'.