At the Assembly’s Emergency Session on Thursday on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Francis emphasized the necessity of ensuring that urgently needed assistance reach those in need - from basic foodstuff to the safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff.

Any action to deprive the people of Gaza of access to essential supplies would be a clear violation of their human rights and an affront to international humanitarian law, he said. 

Francis called for the prompt and unconditional release of all hostages, and an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.

The same day, EU leaders called for a pause in Israeli bombing and Hamas rocket attacks to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. 

In a declaration agreed at a summit in Brussels, the leaders urged continued, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to reach those in need.

The summit was the leaders' first in-person meeting since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on October 7, and this is the first time the EU has asked Israel to refrain from military activities in Gaza, although it acknowledges Israel's right to self-defense.