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.

The escalation of violence in Gaza has led to a tragic increase in Palestinian casualties, with the latest Israeli airstrike targeting a residential area. As the death toll provided by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry approaches 44,

While Pope Francis has criticized the war before, this is the first time he has publicly suggested an investigation, according to excerpts from a new book.