Rare Impact Fund founder Selena Gomez attends the inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit: A Night of Radiance & Reflection fundraiser in Los Angeles, California, US, Oct. 4, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Pop singer, actress, and Rare Beauty founder Selena Gomez commented on Monday for the first time on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, decrying the violence without appearing to take a side in the conflict.

The Only Murders in the Building star, 31, who is the third most followed person on Instagram with 430 million followers, started off a post she uploaded on her Instagram Story by saying that she had been taking “a break” from social media “because my heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence, and terror that’s going on in the world.”

“People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards one group is horrific,” she added. “We need to protect ALL people, especially children and stop the violence for good.” Gomez, who has been an ambassador of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) since 2009, then apologized to her fans for not saying more.

“I’m sorry if my words will never be enough for everyone or a hashtag,” she explained. “I just can’t stand by [while] innocent people [are] getting hurt. That’s what makes me sick. I wish I could change the world. But a post won’t. Love, Selena.”

Gomez uploaded a second Instagram Story on Monday that featured a picture of her 9-year-old sister Gracie Elliot Teefey, writing in the caption that having a sister of her own has made her “tragically sick” considering the children impacted by the war. “I would do anything for children and innocent lives,” she added.

Photo: Screenshot

Israeli media reported that since the start of the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, Gomez has “liked” several pro-Israel posts on social media, including one uploaded by Jewish actress Amy Schumer.

After her Instagram Story went live on Monday, some on social media criticized Gomez for her “neutral” and lukewarm comments about the war. They also challenged her claim that an online post won’t “change the world,” considering the number of followers she has.

One social media user wrote she was “utterly disappointed” by Gomez’s remarks, while another said: “When people need you to spread awareness you choose to stay silent shame on you!!!.” Another asked, “You’ve been given one of the biggest platforms on social media and this is what you do with it? What a f__king joke.”

Others noted the difference between Gomez’s take on the Israel-Hamas war and her views about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which she condemned last year. The pop singer also said at the time that she was donating to a UNICEF cause helping children in Ukraine.