News - Middle East: Pope Francis says the killing of Palestinian children by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip is "cruelty, not war."

In a Saturday statement, Pope said the regime’s brutality against the children of the Palestinian territory has touched his heart.

"Yesterday children were bombed. This is cruelty, this is not war," he said referring to an Israeli airstrike that killed at least 10 members of a family, including seven children.

"I want to say it because it touches my heart."

Francis, who has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, said in late November that "the invader's arrogance... prevails over dialogue" in "Palestine.”

He also said that the situation in Gaza "corresponds to the technical definition" of genocide.

UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, said on Thursday that every small effort to save a child’s life in the besieged territory “is undone by fierce devastation.”

Rosalia Bollen, a communication specialist for the agency, said more than 14,500 children have been killed by Israeli forces over the past 14 months.

More than 14 months into the regime's campaign of death and destruction in Gaza, the death toll has now surpassed 45,000, according to the latest figures released by the Gaza Health Ministry.

The UN's Human Rights Office has said its analysis shows close to 70% of verified victims over six months were women and children.

Press TV