The Pope has called for the "bombs to cease" in a message of peace amid the escalating US-Israeli campaign against Iran. In a social media message, Pope Leo XIV expressed "deep dismay"at the conflict in the Middle Eastand warned that the region "may once again sink into instability".
He wrote on X: "Reports from #Iran and across the entire #MiddleEast continue to cause deep dismay and raise thefear that the conflict will expand, and that other countries in the region, including dear Lebanon, may once again sink into instability. Let us #PrayTogether for the roar of bombs to cease, weapons to fall silent, and space to open for dialogue, in which people's voices may be heard."
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Reports from#Iranand across the entire#MiddleEastcontinue to cause deep dismay and raise the fear that the conflict will expand, and that other countries in the region, including dear Lebanon, may once again sink into instability. Let us#PrayTogetherfor the roar of bombs to…
This comes asIsrael intensifies its ground invasion in Lebanon. Earlier this week, theIsraelDefence Forces (IDF) said they are "currently conducting simultaneous targeted strikes against military targets in Tehran and Beirut".
In another update, the IDF said its soldiers are operating in southern Lebanon and are positioned at several points near the border area as part of an enhanced forward defence posture.
It said: "We are conducting targeted strikes against Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure. Hezbollah chose to attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian regime, and it will bear the consequences of its actions."
A senior military official said on Thursday that Israeli ground forces were taking additional hilltops inside Lebanon to better protect Israel's northern communities.
They said: "We may find ourselves manoeuvring into that area [south of the Litani river] in one capacity or another and we don't want civilians there. We have plans to go as deep as needed, including to the Litani River and further, if instructed."
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
