On October 13, 2024, Pope Francis urged for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict affecting Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon during his Angelus prayer at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
He expressed his prayers for all victims and those displaced, hoping for the immediate release of hostages and an end to the suffering caused by hatred and revenge.
The Pope highlighted recent Israeli attacks on UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, which resulted in injuries to five peacekeepers. He called for respect for the UN forces and condemned the ongoing violence, stating that war is an illusion and a defeat for all involved.
Despite the violence, UNIFIL has refused to withdraw from southern Lebanon as requested by the Israeli army. The recent attacks have drawn international condemnation, with leaders from Spain, France, and Italy labeling them as unjustifiable and a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
UN peacekeeping forces are present in Lebanon under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel. Since October 2023, Israel has conducted extensive bombardments in southern and eastern Lebanon, resulting in over 2,200 fatalities.