"It is inconceivable that an announcement essentially expressing concern for the residents of Gaza is issued at the same time Israel is burying 1,300 murdered citizens," Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen said in a statement on Sunday evening.
Earlier in the day, the pope had called for humanitarian corridors for Gaza and for the release of civilian hostages held by Hamas.
Cohen spoke with his Vatican counterpart, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, on Sunday evening, the Israeli foreign ministry said, and called on the Vatican to unequivocally condemn the attacks.
On Monday, the pope's representative in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said that he was willing to offer himself in exchange for Israeli children being held hostage.
Persons:
Eli Cohen, Cohen, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa
Organizations:
Foreign, Vatican
Locations:
Gaza, Israel