The UN reports that Gaza's entire population is being deprived of electricity, water, fuel supplies, food, and medicine.

Ongoing bombardments and shelling have destroyed homes, hospitals and essential water and sanitation infrastructure, with growing fears that Gaza will soon run out of drinkable water. Hospitals are packed with injured people and running desperately low on fuel and basic supplies.

An estimated 1 million people have been displaced in Gaza with immediate food, shelter, health, and psychosocial needs. Even before these attacks, 8 out of 10 people relied on international aid.

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Raphael Schutz, who has served as Israel's Ambassador to the Holy See since 2021, told Crux that the pope's statement "in a way fills a vacuum I felt needed to be filled in recent days, especially recognising the right of Israel to self-defence."

"This is the most important element in what he said. Of course, calling for the release of the hostages is also very important," Schutz said.

So far, Israeli authorities report that 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the onslaught, marking the worst in the country's history, while in Gaza more than 1,100 people have reportedly been killed as a result of Israel's retaliatory air and artillery strikes.

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"We want to express our deep concern about the escalating situation in the Holy Land, particularly the suffering of the most vulnerable individuals we support. We implore the international community to leverage their influence to swiftly halt this ongoing violence and strive for a just solution for all parties involved," said Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem, in a statement.

The recent terrorist attack by Hamas on Israeli territory killed 1,200 people and injured over 2,700. Dozens of hostages, mostly civilian men, women and children taken hostage.

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