Madonna and U2 have each shone attention on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, among the biggest music stars to do so since the war in the Palestinian enclave began in late 2023 after Hamas's deadly rampage in southern Israel.

The statements hours apart took different forms.

Madonna's post on Instagram was an open letter to Pope Leo XIV, calling on the American pontiff to "please go to Gaza and bring your light to the children before it's too late."

"The children of the world belong to everyone," the pop superstar said. "You are the only one of us who cannot be denied entry. We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children."

U2, meanwhile, in a joint statement posted Sunday, said that "the blocking of humanitarian aid and now plans for a military takeover

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