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.

Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel’s attacks in Gaza constitute genocide, according to excerpts released Sunday from an upcoming new book ahead of the pontiff’s jubilee year.

A United States envoy returned to Beirut on Tuesday, where Lebanese officials have tentatively welcomed a proposal for an Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire.

Israel has called for a stronger enforcement mechanism, potentially including the ability to operate against any Hezbollah threats, something Lebanon is likely to oppose. Hochstein said he held “very constructive talks” with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri,

An Israeli strike killed 10 Palestinians and wounded at least 20 others on Saturday at a school in Gaza City currently sheltering displaced families, medics said.

Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip killed 14 Palestinians on Monday, including six people who were killed in attacks on tents housing displaced families, medics said. Four people, two of them children,