Overview

• Cardinal Pietro Parolin argues Israel’s campaign violates proportionality and targets a largely defenseless population living among rubble.
• He calls Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attacks “inhuman and indefensible” and urges the release of remaining hostages.
• He questions the legitimacy of continuing to supply weapons used against civilians, without naming specific countries.
• He says the international community has proved powerless and that states with influence have failed to stop the violence.
• The statement reflects a sharper Vatican stance under Pope Leo after calls for more aid and a September meeting with Israel’s president, as tallies cite about 1,200 killed and 251 taken hostage in Israel in 2023 and more than 67,000 deaths in Gaza.