"Pope Francis went on to say that his heart is close to all the people who inhabit the Holy Land, which includes Israelis and Palestinians."
The pope also complained, "Yesterday they (Israel) did not allow the Patriarch (of Jerusalem) into Gaza as promised.”
An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the incident was still under review and had no immediate comment on the pope's words.
The hostages, captured by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, are reported to be in dire conditions, with fears of torture and urgent medical needs.
The death toll in Israel from Hamas' attack has reached 1,300, with more than 3,000 people injured, as hostages remain trapped in Gaza.
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