Catholic, Greek Orthodox leaders enter Gaza in uncommon solidarity go to after Israel’s church strike in Gaza

High church leaders in Jerusalem headed into Gaza on Friday (July 18, 2025) in a uncommon solidarity go to to the territory someday after an Israeli shell slammed into its solely Catholic church, killing three individuals.

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 Church buildings of the Holy Land,” learn an announcement launched by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The patriarchs and their delegation arrived on the Holy Household Catholic Church in Gaza within the afternoon. In addition to the three individuals killed within the strike, 10 had 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 Household which was hit in an Israeli strike on Thursday, in Gaza Metropolis July 18, 2025.
| Picture Credit score:
Reuters

The delegation was additionally planning on sending a whole bunch of tons of meals help, medical provides and tools to households inside Gaza, the patriarchate stated, 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 spiritual 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 known 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 stated it was investigating.

The go to by spiritual leaders Friday marked a uncommon entrance to the territory by a delegation of outsiders. Aside from a trickle of help 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 because the begin of Israel’s newest offensive in Might.

Church was shelter for a lot of

On the time of the strike, the church compound was sheltering each Christians and Muslims, together with plenty of youngsters with disabilities, in line with Fadel Naem, appearing director of Al-Ahli Hospital, which obtained the casualties.

The Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem stated the parish’s 60-year-old janitor and an 84-year-old lady receiving psychosocial assist inside a Caritas tent within the church compound had been killed within the assault. Parish priest Gabriel Romanelli was flippantly wounded.

“The Latin Patriarchate stays steadfast in its dedication to the Christian group and the whole inhabitants of Gaza. They won’t be forgotten, nor will they be deserted,” learn the assertion from Caritas.

Netanyahu launched an announcement saying Israel “deeply regrets {that a} stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Household Church”.

The Israeli army stated an preliminary evaluation indicated that “fragments from a shell fired throughout operational exercise within the space hit the church mistakenly.” It stated 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 individuals, largely civilians, within the October 7 assault and kidnapped 251 individuals, 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 line with Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which has stated ladies 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 contemplate its figures to be essentially the most dependable rely of battle casualties.