Israel’s embassy to the Holy See said in a note Monday that the Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip was being conducted in compliance with international law and intended to minimize civilian casualties after Pope Francis in his Angelus message on Sunday expressed sadness for “the resumption of heavy Israeli bombings”.

The Israeli operation is conducted “in full compliance with international law” and aims to “reduce to a minimum” harm or damage to civilians, said the note.

“While Hamas deliberately targets civilians”, Israel adopts “extraordinary measures” to reduce to a minimum collateral damage, said the statement released “in reference to the Angelus”.

“Hamas has repeatedly violated the ceasefire and has used it to rebuild its military arsenal”, the note went on to say, adding that “59 hostages are still detained in Gaza in inhuman conditions” and the “State of Israel believes it is its moral duty to bring them back home”.

In his Angelus message on Sunday the pope said: “I was saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombings on the Gaza Strip, with many dead and wounded.

“I ask that the weapons be silenced immediately; and that we have the courage to resume dialogue, so that all the hostages may be freed and a definitive ceasefire may be reached,” he said.

“In the Strip, the humanitarian situation is once again very serious and requires the urgent commitment of the warring parties and the international community,” the pontiff added.