Pope Francis condemned in his Christmas message Monday the desperate humanitarian situation for Palestinians in Gaza, calling for a cessation of hostilities in the war between the Israeli Occupation and the Palestinian resistance, and the release of captives still held in the Strip.

The Pope stated, "I plead for an end to the military operations with their appalling harvest of innocent civilian victims, and call for a solution to the desperate humanitarian situation by an opening to the provision of humanitarian aid."

Addressing thousands of people in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican while delivering the Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing, Pope Francis called for a two-state solution and "persevering dialogue between the parties, sustained by strong political will and the support of the international community.”

The Gaza Strip faces a severe humanitarian crisis after extensive destruction caused by Israeli Occupation airstrikes, forcing around 85% of its population, totaling 2.4 million people, to be displaced, according to the United Nations.