ATHENS

Pope Francis on Wednesday renewed his appeal to avoid escalation of conflict in the Middle East, Vatican News reported.

“I reiterate my appeal to all parties involved to ensure that the conflict does not spread and to immediately cease fire on all fronts, starting from Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely serious and unsustainable,” the pontiff said while addressing the weekly general audience.

“I pray that the sincere search for peace will extinguish strife, love will overcome hatred and revenge will be disarmed by forgiveness,” he added.

Israel has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas incursion. The relentless military campaign has levelled much of the territory and left most of the people homeless, and hungry.

Tensions have grown after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran's capital Tehran on July 31. Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

The pope also asked the faithful to join his prayers for the “war-torn peoples” of Ukraine, Myanmar and Sudan.