HOLY LAND: Church leaders denounce ‘heinous attack’ on Gaza church
The Heads of Churches across the Holy Land have come together to condemn an attack yesterday (Thursday, 17th July 2025) on the only Catholic church in Gaza.
The statement today (Friday, 18th July) from the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem described how 600 people were sheltering in the Holy Family Catholic Church when it was struck, apparently by an Israeli tank shell, killing three people and injuring 10 others.
In their statement, a copy of which the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem sent to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Church heads said: “In unyielding unity, we strongly denounce this crime.”
The Church leaders went on: “Targeting a church that houses approximately 600 refugees, including children with special needs, is a violation of these laws.
“It is also an affront to human dignity, a trampling upon the sanctity of human life, and the desecration of a holy site.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition” hit the church.
“Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful,” he added in a statement.
In their statement, the Church leaders said: “[W]e bear witness to the heinous attack by the Israeli Army on the church compound.”
The Patriarchs and bishops went on to call for an immediate ceasefire, urging world leaders and the United Nations to work towards this goal.
They went on: “We also implore [the world leaders and the United Nations] to guarantee the protection of all religious and humanitarian sites and to provide for the relief of the starving masses throughout the Gaza Strip.
“Our prayers and support remain steadfast, calling for justice, peace and the cessation of the suffering that has descended upon the people of Gaza.”
Those killed in Thursday’s attack include Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, the 60-year-old janitor of Holy Family Church, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, 84, and a third victim that the family wishes to remain anonymous.
Among the injured was Holy Family Church Parish Priest Father Gabriel Romanelli.
Reports from the scene state that the shell hit the church roof “scattering shrapnel and debris across the yard”.
Earlier today Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III made a visit to the Holy Family parish.
In Gaza the cardinal received a call from Pope Leo XIV who expressed “his closeness, care, prayer, support and desire to do everything possible to achieve not only a ceasefire but also an end to this tragedy.”
Meantime, ACN has renewed its appeal for the Holy Land – especially the Christian community – which the charity is supporting with emergency help and spiritual support. Including religious education, retreats and formation as well repair of church buildings.