Vatican City  - Israel's airstrikes on the Gaza Strip are likely to trigger more hatred in the region, the Vatican's chief spokesman said Saturday.

Father Federico Lombardi, speaking on Vatican Radio, said an Israeli reaction to the launching of rockets by Palestinian militants following Hamas' decision not to renew a ceasefire agreement, was "expected".

However, the scale of the raids and the number of victims has left a a strong "impression," Lombardi said.

"Certainly it has been a strong blow against Hamas. At the same time there will be... numerous innocent victims," Lombardi said.

"Hamas is a prisoner of the logic of hatred. Israel (is the prisoner) of a logic that force is the best response to hatred. We have to try and find a different solution, even if this seems impossible," he added.

Pope Benedict XVI, who in his Christmas Day message appealed for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, is expected to visit the Holy Land in May 2009, according to recent remarks by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal. (dpa)