Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, and Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Archbishop Alexios go to the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, in Gaza City July 18, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III entered Gaza within the morning to precise the “shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land,” learn a press release launched by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The patriarchs and their delegation arrived on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza within the afternoon. As effectively because the three folks killed within the strike, 10 have been wounded, together with the resident priest. The church compound was broken.
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III go to the Church of the Holy Family which was hit in an Israeli strike on Thursday, in Gaza City July 18, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters
The delegation was additionally planning on sending a whole lot of tons of meals support, medical provides and gear to households inside Gaza, the patriarchate mentioned, including in addition they had “ensured evacuation” of people injured within the assault to hospitals outdoors Gaza.
Pope Leo XIV requires ceasefire
The assault drew condemnation from world leaders and non secular figures. Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (July 17, 2025) renewed his name for an instantaneous ceasefire in response to the assault and President Donald Trump referred to as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to precise his frustration.
Israel on Thursday (July 17, 2025) expressed remorse over what it described as an accident and mentioned it was investigating.
The go to by spiritual leaders Friday marked a uncommon entrance to the territory by a delegation of outsiders. With the exception of a trickle of support staff and a small variety of Palestinians needing medical care outdoors the territory, only a few have been in a position to enter or exit Gaza for the reason that begin of Israel’s newest offensive in May.
Church was shelter for a lot of
At the time of the strike, the church compound was sheltering each Christians and Muslims, together with a variety of kids with disabilities, in accordance with Fadel Naem, appearing director of Al-Ahli Hospital, which obtained the casualties.
The Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem mentioned the parish’s 60-year-old janitor and an 84-year-old lady receiving psychosocial help inside a Caritas tent within the church compound have been killed within the assault. Parish priest Gabriel Romanelli was frivolously wounded.
“The Latin Patriarchate stays steadfast in its dedication to the Christian neighborhood and the complete inhabitants of Gaza. They is not going to be forgotten, nor will they be deserted,” learn the assertion from Caritas.
Netanyahu launched a press release saying Israel “deeply regrets {that a} stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church”.
The Israeli navy mentioned an preliminary evaluation indicated that “fragments from a shell fired throughout operational exercise within the space hit the church mistakenly.” It mentioned it was nonetheless investigating.
Israel has repeatedly struck faculties, shelters, hospitals and different civilian buildings, accusing Hamas militants of sheltering inside and blaming them for civilian deaths. Palestinians say nowhere has felt secure since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas’ Oct 7, 2023, assault.
Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 folks, principally civilians, within the October 7 assault and kidnapped 251 folks, most of whom have since been launched in ceasefire agreements or different offers. Fifty hostages are nonetheless being held, lower than half of them believed to be alive.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 58,600 Palestinians, in accordance with Gaza’s Health Ministry, which has mentioned girls and kids make up greater than half of the useless. It doesn’t distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally.
The ministry is a part of the Hamas-run authorities however is led by medical professionals. The United Nations and different worldwide organisations take into account its figures to be essentially the most dependable rely of struggle casualties.
Published – July 18, 2025 05:48 pm IST
