In Easter address, Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire
Pope Francis has made renewed calls on Easter for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all captives held in Gaza in a peace-focused address.
Francis presided over Mass in a packed St Peter’s Square, and then delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing and message from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
“I appeal once again that access to humanitarian aid be ensured to Gaza, and call once more for the prompt release of the hostages seized on last October 7 and for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip,” he said.
“How much suffering we see in the eyes of children, the children have forgotten to smile in those war zones. With their eyes, children ask us: Why? Why all this death? Why all this destruction? War is always an absurdity and a defeat”, he added.
Low attendance for Easter celebrations in occupied East Jerusalem
The Church of Holy Sepulchre in occupied East Jerusalem is empty. Normally, it would be completely packed during Easter all the way to the courtyard. There would be musical instruments played very loudly in a celebratory atmosphere.
That is not happening, because the Christian community here is showing solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
Tourists have stayed away, but there is still a community who wants to come here: the Palestinian Christians in the occupied West Bank. However, Israelis banned them from visiting on one of the most important days of the year.
Bit late now to worry about this...
US fears intel shared with Israel contributes to civilian deaths
The Wall Street Journal has reported, quoting people familiar with the issue, that the United States is concerned about whether the expanded intelligence sharing with Israel since October 7 had contributed to civilian deaths in Gaza.
Among the worries is that there is little independent oversight to confirm that US-supplied intelligence is not used in air strikes that unnecessarily kill civilians or damage infrastructure, sources told the WSJ.
“What I’m concerned about is making sure our intelligence sharing is consistent with our values and our national-security interests,” Democratic Representative Jason Crow, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told the publication.
He added that there are “some pretty big inconsistencies” in the two sides’ accounts of the civilian toll.
One side being the lies of Israel, the other every aid agency in the world...
Gaza death toll rises
The death toll from Israel’s attacks on Gaza has risen to 32,782, the Health Ministry said in a statement, adding that 75,298 people have been injured since October 7. The toll includes 77 people killed and 108 wounded in the past 24 hours.
And that's only counting those that have been registered to have been killed. Many are not counted, missing, buried under ruble or by Israeli bulldozers.
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