Pope Francis has said that allegations of a genocide in Gaza should be “carefully investigated” marking some of his strongest criticism yet of Israel’s war with Hamas.

While Pope Francis has criticized the war before, this is the first time he has publicly suggested an investigation, according to excerpts from a new book.

It’s the first time that Pope Francis has openly urged for an investigation of genocide allegations over Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.

Pope Francis has spoken in favour of an investigation into the accusation that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip in his forthcoming book, the Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on Sunday.

ROME, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Pope Francis has suggested the global community should study whether Israel's military campaign in Gaza constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people, in some of his most explicit criticism yet of Israel's conduct in its year-long war.

Israel insists that it is acting in self-defense against Iran-backed Islamic terrorists bent on its destruction. In addition to the Oct. 7 massacre, both Hamas and Hezbollah have fired thousands of rockets at Israeli towns and cities, displacing more than 200,000 Israelis.

The "Everybody Loves Raymond" actress has been an outspoken advocate for Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

Pope Francis called for an investigation into whether Israel's military actions in Gaza legally constitute genocide, according to a book due out this week. Why it matters: The pope has previously criticized Israel's attacks on Gaza as "immoral" and disproportionate,

Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel's military attacks on Gaza constitute genocide. It's the first time he's publicly suggested that Israel may be engaged in genocide.