The Pope called on Hamas to release all the hostages kidnapped from Israel to the Gaza Strip.

"I insist that neither children, nor the sick, nor the elderly, nor women, nor civilians become victims of the conflict," the pontiff said in a Sunday sermon in St. Peter's Square in Rome.

Speaking about Israel's expected ground operation, he added that it is important to create humanitarian corridors to save the entire population.

According to UN estimates, about a million residents have left Gaza at the moment. Meanwhile, Israel evacuated the border town of Sderot before the start of the operation.

"We must not forget about the suffering of people in Ukraine. Enough is enough. Wars always mean defeat, always," Francis added.