These top church leaders stood together in solidarity on the streets of Gaza. This meeting came on the heels of a precisely devastating Israeli strike on the Holy Family Church, which tragically killed three people. The attack occurred at the height of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas. This upheaval has led to mass casualties and destruction across the region. Reverend Gabriele Romanelli was only slightly injured during the assault, as he immediately received medical assistance. At the same time, church authorities and humanitarian organizations mobilized to aid the families and individuals impacted the most.
In addition to killing three people, the airstrike—widely thought to have been carried out by Israel—wounded ten others, including Reverend Romanelli. Among the 11 dead was a 60-year-old parish janitor. A local 84-year-old woman, who had been under psychosocial support in a Caritas tent on the church grounds, perished as well. This heartbreaking loss has unfortunately served to underscore the harrowing plight of civilians in Gaza.
Church Leaders Respond to the Crisis
A joint delegation that included the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, made their way into Gaza shortly after the strike. Their visit aimed to convey what they termed the “shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land.” This delegation symbolizes an effort to provide comfort and support to the beleaguered Christian community and other residents affected by the ongoing violence.
They highlighted their commitment to the Christian community in Gaza, and more broadly to the people of Gaza. “The Latin Patriarchate remains steadfast in its commitment to the Christian community and the entire population of Gaza. They will not be forgotten, nor will they be abandoned,” a representative from Caritas stated.
Pope Leo XIV came out very clearly in defense of that reality. We join Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield in his urgent call for an immediate ceasefire after the recent horrors. His simple, clear message speaks to all who wish for peace for a region torn apart by violence and cruelty.
Reactions to the Attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took responsibility for the deadly blast and said he was sorry. It said they were accidently fired when “stray ammunition” hit the church. He reiterated that Israel is still looking into the circumstances of this tragic occurrence. Yet his comments, appearing in a recent joint letter, do little to relieve the concern expressed by local officials and community members. They worry that these attacks are part of a coordinated strategy to drive Palestinians from their residences altogether.
Palestinian Minister Moayad Shaaban condemned the attack. He claimed that it is designed to terrorize non-combatants and drive them out of regions where they have lived for generations. “They are using these tools to terrify these people to leave these areas, which have been inhabited for dozens of years,” he said. His words underscore the growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where military violence threatens families day and night.
Humanitarian Efforts Amidst Devastation
In response to the escalating crisis, church leaders and humanitarian organizations have coordinated efforts to provide essential aid to those affected. Today, the delegation to Gaza launched their plans for… From there, they will begin sending out hundreds of tons of food aid, medical supplies, and equipment to families. And to top it all off, they made sure that all people severely injured in the course of the attack were cleared to hospitals in Israel for emergency care.
The wider backdrop of this incident points to a jaw-dropping cost to civilian life with a continued military footprint. Reports from the Gaza health ministry now state more than 59,000 dead Palestinians. This terrible death toll has increased since fighting escalated dramatically after Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This violence has resulted in high levels of civilian deaths on both sides. It has further contributed to increased tensions and deepened humanitarian crises across the region.
