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 in the territory.

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

Pope Francis has spoken in favour of an investigation into the accusation that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip in his forthcoming book, the Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on Sunday.