Israel's military on Friday called for all civilians of Gaza City, more than one million people, to relocate south within 24 hours as it amassed tanks for an expected invasion in response to a devastating October 7 assault by militant group Hamas.
In an interview with Vatican media, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, said the Holy See remains firmly convinced that a two-state solution is the only way to guarantee lasting peace in the region.
"The release of Israeli hostages and the protection of innocent lives in Gaza are at the heart of the problem created by Hamas' attack and the response of the Israeli army," said Parolin, who is the Vatican's top diplomat and number two after Pope Francis in the Holy See's hierarchy.
"They are at the centre of all of our concerns: the Pope and the entire international community. The Holy See is ready for any necessary mediation, as always," he said.
Parolin added: "It is necessary to regain a sense of reason, abandon the blind logic of hatred, and reject violence as a solution. It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves but even legitimate defence must respect the parameter of proportionality."
More than 1500 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory Israeli air and artillery strikes since the surprise Hamas cross-border assault that killed more than 1300 people, mostly civilians in nearby towns and kibbutzes.
Parolin called for direct talks between Israel and Hamas in order to "avoid further bloodshed, as is happening in Gaza, where many innocent civilian victims have been caused by the Israeli army's attacks".
Any lasting solution, Parolin said in the interview, had to take into consideration Israeli settlements in occupied territory and the status of Jerusalem.
Israel says the city is its "united and eternal capital" but Palestinians see the eastern part of the city as the capital of a future state.
The Israeli embassy to the Vatican said Parolin paid a visit to the mission on Friday morning to express his "deep sentiments of pain and solidarity" over the attacks by Hamas.
