Pope Francis made the heartfelt appeal at his Sunday Angelus as Gaza’s Health Ministry reports the death toll for the war has risen above 30,000.
“The thousands of dead, wounded, displaced, the immense destruction causes pain, and this has tremendous consequences on the little ones and the helpless, who see their future compromised,” Pope Francis said.
Vice President Kamala Harris hosted Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz on Monday, where they are expected to discuss a possible six-week ceasefire and hostage deal.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to meet with Gantz today as negotiations continue. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are pushing the White House to end the war.
“It is time for the president to use all the leverage that he has to get a long-term ceasefire,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).
The U.S., Egypt, and Qatar are helping work out the deal. The U.S. wants an agreement by the start of Ramadan this coming Sunday.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues. UNICEF says at least ten children have died in recent days from malnutrition and dehydration. It predicts that the number will climb rapidly without more humanitarian access.