Following the attack on Holy Family Catholic parish in Gaza, the Caritas confederation releases statements of solidarity and calls for “respect for the sacredness of life and the spaces that protect it.”
Newsroom (18/07/2025, Gaudium Press )An Israeli shelling attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza on Wednesday morning claimed the lives of three civilians and injured several others, including the parish priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli. The church, a sanctuary for displaced families, was struck amid escalating violence in the region, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Caritas Jerusalem and Caritas Internationalis issued statements expressing “deepest sorrow and condolences” for the victims: Saad Salameh, 60, the parish janitor; Fumayya Ayyad, 84; and Najwa Abu Daoud, 69. The three were rushed to Al-Mamadani Hospital but succumbed to their injuries due to critical shortages of medical supplies and blood units. Others injured in the attack remain in critical condition.
A Sanctuary Under Siege
Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, condemned the attack, stating, “Their deaths are a painful reminder of the appalling conditions that civilians and medical personnel are living in under siege.” He urged all parties to “respect the sacredness of life and the spaces that protect it,” emphasizing the need to uphold international humanitarian law.
Fr. Romanelli, injured in the attack, had repeatedly warned those sheltering in the church to remain indoors due to intensified shelling and military operations nearby. Caritas Jerusalem staff credited his vigilance with preventing a far greater tragedy. “If Father Gabriel hadn’t warned us to stay indoors, we could have lost 50 to 60 people today. It would have been a massacre,” a staff member said.
The attack follows the loss of two Caritas Jerusalem staff members and their children in bombings at the Gaza Health Center in October and November 2023, underscoring the relentless toll on humanitarian workers.
A Humanitarian Catastrophe
Just days before the attack, Caritas Jerusalem released a report on July 14 detailing the “unprecedented level of devastation” in Gaza. The organization highlighted the collapse of essential services: food deliveries have halted due to attacks on aid seekers, with 758 killed and over 5,000 injured since May 27. As a result, Gaza’s 2.1 million residents face acute hunger.
The report also noted that 80% of water, sanitation, and hygiene stations are in active conflict zones, contributing to a surge in acute watery diarrhea, which accounts for 40% of reported illnesses. Overcrowded and under-resourced hospitals struggle to cope, while education has ground to a halt. Approximately 1.3 million people urgently need emergency shelter, and rising exposure to gender-based violence and child exploitation compounds the crisis.
A Call for Humanity
Caritas Internationalis expressed solidarity with its Jerusalem branch and all humanitarian workers enduring the siege. The organization issued an urgent appeal for:
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Respect for and protection of places of worship and humanitarian shelters under international humanitarian law;
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Unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, secure passageways, and medical care for civilians;
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An immediate end to assaults on civilians, particularly those in churches, religious sites, and designated humanitarian zones;
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Upholding human dignity in times of war.
The Caritas confederation echoed Pope Leo XIV’s call for an immediate ceasefire and reiterated its demand for full adherence to international law, humanitarian law, and human rights law.
As Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens, the attack on the Holy Family Church serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for peace and protection for civilians caught in the crossfire.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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