Christian leaders visited Gaza Catholic church bringing aid after deadly Israeli strike killed civilians inside church.Vincent IsoreGetty Images
Christian leaders from the Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches have made a rare visit to Gaza’s only Catholic church, days after a deadly Israeli strike killed civilians sheltering inside.
The visit comes as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to worsen amid ongoing hostilities.
Christian Leaders Visit Gaza’s Catholic Church Amid Israeli Church Attack Fallout
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Gaza Catholic church on Friday to show solidarity with Gaza’s small and embattled Christian community.
The church, which has been serving as a refuge for displaced residents, was struck during recent fighting, killing three people. Israeli authorities have expressed “deep regret” and said an investigation is ongoing into what they described as stray ammunition responsible for the deaths.
The visit was notable given Israel’s tight control over Gaza’s borders and the extreme difficulty of access into the territory.
The church leaders delivered food aid and medical supplies to the community, while arrangements were made for the evacuation of wounded individuals for treatment outside of Gaza. Such evacuations remain rare amid restrictions on movement enforced throughout the territory.
Christian Leaders Bring Aid to Gaza’s Catholic Church After Strike
In a statement, the Latin Patriarchate underscored the importance of their visit as an expression of “pastoral care” for Gaza’s Christians, reaffirming that the churches of the Holy Land stand with the suffering population. The Gaza Catholic church has become a symbol of resilience, providing shelter to both Christians and Muslims as the conflict intensifies.
Pope Leo, in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated the Vatican’s concerns over the safety of religious sites.
The Vatican said the pontiff again called for a ceasefire, highlighting the severe impact of the humanitarian crisis on Gaza’s vulnerable populations, especially children, the elderly, and the sick.
Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Following Catholic Church Attack
Health officials in Gaza report that nearly 59,000 people have died since the current phase of the conflict began.
Humanitarian organizations have warned that access to essentials such as clean water and medical care continues to deteriorate under heavy bombardment and ongoing blockades.
Dr. Fadl Naim, Director of Al-Ahli Hospital, raised questions on social media regarding the selective evacuation of wounded individuals linked to the church while thousands of other injured Palestinians remain barred from leaving Gaza for treatment. “Is this an effort to polish the image of the occupation, or blatant discrimination based on religion?” he posted.
Global Criticism Mounts as Gaza Conflict Toll Rises
The attack on the Catholic church drew condemnation from key international partners, including the United States, which stressed the protection of religious sites during armed conflicts. Despite repeated calls for a ceasefire, negotiations remain deadlocked.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees and other humanitarian groups continue to report deteriorating conditions, with many Gaza residents trapped without sufficient access to aid, medical care, or safe shelter.
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Cardinal Pizzaballa reaffirmed the church’s commitment: “We will not abandon Gaza’s people in these dark hours.”
