Pope Francis urges probe to determine if Israel's attacks in Gaza constitute genocide

In September, he said Israel’s attacks in Gaza and Lebanon have been “immoral” and disproportionate, and that its military has gone beyond the rules of war

Last year, Francis met separately with relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinians living through the war and set off a firestorm by using words that Vatican diplomats usually avoid: terrorism' and, according to the Palestinians, 'genocide'. File Picture: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

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

It is the first time that Francis has openly urged for an investigation of genocide allegations over Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.