Pope "Let's go bombing children is a atrocity, not a war."

Pope Francis strongly criticized Israel's airstrikes in Gaza on the 20th, saying that this was not a war but an atrocity.

The pope made the remarks in a speech to priests working at the Vatican on the 21st local time.

In addition, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierre-Batista Pizzabala, said he had been scheduled to enter Gaza, but that Israel had reneged on his promise and denied entry.

In response, Israel's Foreign Ministry said it was terrorists holding more than 100 people, including children, hostage for 440 days, and protested that it was the double standard of the pope's remarks.

Earlier on the 20th, an Israeli bombing in Jabalia, northern Gaza, killed 10 members of a family, including seven children at home, and injured 15 others.