Caritas Internationalis, the Church’s federation of relief and development agencies, issued a blistering statement denouncing Israel’s “merciless attacks on the civilian population of Gaza and those who are trying to help them and bring humanitarian relief.”
Newsroom (23/07/2025, Gaudium Press )On Thursday, July 17, Israeli forces launched a devastating attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, a sanctuary sheltering 600 civilians and hosting Caritas Jerusalem’s humanitarian operations. The assault killed three people and injured at least ten, two critically, marking it as one of the latest in a series of relentless strikes on Gaza’s civilian population and those providing aid.
The church, a beacon of hope offering medical and psychological care, was reduced to rubble, leaving families and aid workers grappling with loss. Caritas Internationalis, the humanitarian arm of the Catholic Church, condemned the attack, stating, “We abhor these acts in the strongest terms. They violate international law and fundamental principles of humanity.” The organization joined Pope Leo XIV in demanding an immediate ceasefire and an end to the “barbarism of war.”
A Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds
The situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, according to Caritas Internationalis. The organization reports:
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Hostage Crisis: 50 Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity.
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Indiscriminate Destruction: The Gaza Strip is being systematically bombed, rendering it uninhabitable.
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Mass Casualties: Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, with official counts underreporting the true toll due to unverified deaths.
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Starvation and Famine: Civilians face acute food shortages as aid is systematically blocked.
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Attacks on Civilians: Over 750 people have been killed and 5,000 injured while queuing for food and water.
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Medical Crisis: Hospitals are destroyed or overwhelmed, with diseases like diarrhea and meningitis rampant.
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Targeting Aid Workers: Hundreds of humanitarian workers and journalists have been killed in the line of duty.
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Forced Displacement: Israel’s plan to relocate Gaza’s 2 million residents to a proposed camp in Rafah has been labeled a “concentration camp” by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, raising fears of ethnic cleansing.
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West Bank Violence: Illegal settlers, backed by Israeli forces, continue to dispossess Palestinians.
Caritas Internationalis warns that these actions breach International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law, and the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The group also cautioned that third-party states or entities providing military support to Israel may be complicit in these violations.
A Call for Urgent Action
In a powerful statement, Caritas Internationalis echoed Pope Leo XIV’s plea for peace, urging the international community to uphold humanitarian law and protect civilians from collective punishment and forced displacement. The organization outlined critical demands:
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An immediate halt to Israel’s attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
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A permanent ceasefire to end the loss of life.
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The release of all Israeli hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians.
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Unrestricted humanitarian access for aid organizations.
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Protection for civilians, particularly children, women, and families.
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An end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, as mandated by the International Court of Justice’s July 19 advisory opinion.
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A cessation of military support to Israel by other nations.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, emphasized the organization’s unwavering commitment: “We will never leave them alone.” Despite the dangers, Caritas remains ready to deliver large-scale aid as soon as safe access is granted, building on their proven success during previous ceasefires.
A Moral Imperative
Caritas Internationalis framed the crisis as a moral and legal tipping point, warning that silence equates to complicity. “The seeds of hatred being sown today will fuel wars for decades,” the organization stated, calling for an end to cycles of violence and indifference. The group expressed solidarity with both Palestinians and Jews, stressing that peace is essential to preserve dignity and prevent further division.
As the world watches, Caritas Internationalis urges global leaders to act decisively. “History will not forgive this barbarism,” their statement concluded. “Be on the right side of history.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Caritas.org
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