HOLY LAND: Gaza Catholic church hit in fresh army shelling
Gaza’s only Catholic church was hit during military operations carried out this morning (Thursday, 17th July).
The Church of the Holy Family suffered major structural damage. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are investigating the matter.
A statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem read: “The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning.
“There are several injuries in the place, including the Parish Priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.
“Currently, there are no fatalities confirmed. The church sustained damage.”
Father Gabriel Romanelli.
According to information received by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Father Romanelli sustained an injury to his leg.
Reports from Al–Ahli Hospital, in Gaza City, earlier today stated two women were killed following the shelling, which also affected the area near the church.
Speaking to ACN earlier this week, Father Romanelli stressed that the situation was still critical.
He said: “The situation at the municipality remains very, very serious.
“The bombings continue, as you know, in Rafah, in the south of the Strip, but also in the north – the area of Jabalia and other places as well.
“Another day of war – another hour of war – continues to complicate the lives of tens and hundreds of thousands of people.”
Father Romanelli underlined the importance of prayer: “We ask you to continue helping us – to pray a lot, and to encourage others to pray.
“To seek peace and justice by all means, and also to lend a hand to these poor people.
“May Our Lady give us the strength to sow peace and a little hope in these people, and may this come to an end as soon as possible.”
The Catholic Parish in Gaza after the 17th July attacks.
When the current conflict in Gaza broke out, most of the Christian population took refuge in the Holy Family Catholic parish and in the neighbouring Orthodox compound.
The Holy Family has been looking after around 500 men, women and children, including a group with disabilities cared for by the Missionaries of Charity.
At least 16 Christians, including 10 from one family, were killed during an October 2023 raid, which caused the collapse of a building in the Greek Orthodox Church compound. The Catholic compound was also hit by bombs.
Two more civilians were killed after an IDF sniper fired on the grounds of the Holy Family Church the following December.
The IDF offensive in the Gaza Strip followed the terrorist attacks of 7th October 2023 carried out by Hamas and other jihadist groups operating from the territory.
ACN’s UK office is only able to contribute to the support in the West Bank and East Jerusalem because the UK government’s counter–terrorism sanctions make it impossible to transfer funds into Gaza.
Other national offices of the charity have provided assistance for the church in Gaza via the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Update
Mr Saed Salameh (believed to be in his late 50s) and Mrs Fumia Ayyad (in her 80s) who were injured in the attack on the church died.