Pope renews his appeal for entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza

The pope renewed his appeal Wednesday for humanitarian aid entry to the Gaza Strip, according to the Vatican News agency.

"I always think of the grave situation in Palestine and Israel: I encourage the release of hostages and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza," he told Italian-speaking pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

He also noted he continues to pray "for those who suffer and to hope for paths of peace, in the Middle East, in the tormented Ukraine and in other regions wounded by war."

The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

More than 7,900 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 6,546 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.