Pope Francis has called for an investigation into the allegation that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip in his upcoming book, Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on Sunday.

“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide. It should be carefully examined to see if it corresponds to the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies,” La Stampa quoted the head of the Catholic Church as saying.

Israel faces massive international criticism due to the high number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the catastrophic shortage of aid.

South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague for genocide.

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, also in The Hague, in May sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders, for running the war.

Israel has been bombing the coastal strip since Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health estimates the death toll in the Gaza Strip to be over 43,000. The figure cannot be independently verified.

The book the pope commented on is titled Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims to a better world”. It will be published in Italy on Tuesday.