Pope expresses ‘deep sorrow’ over killing of Gaza aid workers in Israeli strike

Pope Francis expressed his “deep sorrow” Wednesday for the deaths of seven charity workers killed by an Israeli strike while they were delivering aid in Gaza.

“I express my deep sorrow for the volunteers killed while they were distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza,” the 87-year-old pontiff said during his weekly audience at the Vatican.

“I pray for them and their families.”

A person looks at a vehicle where employees from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) were killed in an Israeli airstrike, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza, Strip April 2, 2024.

He renewed his appeal for access to humanitarian aid for the “exhausted and suffering civilian population” of Gaza.

Israel’s defense chief on Wednesday described the strike on staff from World Central Kitchen as a “grave mistake”, after the deaths prompted a chorus of international outrage.

Israel’s ruthless campaign in the Gaza Strip has killed at least 32,916 people, mostly women and children since October 7, according to the health ministry in the territory.