Following the Israeli attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza on the morning of July 17, Caritas Jerusalem and Caritas Internationalis released statements expressing their “deepest sorrow and condolences.”
Three people were killed in the shelling: Saad Salameh, 60, the parish janitor; Fumayya Ayyad, 84; and Najwa Abu Daoud, 69. They were transported to Al-Mamadani Hospital where they passed away due to the critical shortage of medical supplies and blood units in Gaza. Others were injured during the attack, some critically, as the church was housing displaced civilians.
Respect the sacredness of life
Alistair Dutton, the Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, issued a statement highlighting their devastation at the news of the attack.
“Their deaths are a painful reminder of the appalling conditions that civilians and medical personnel are living in under siege.” Mr. Dutton also called on everyone involved in the conflict to “respect the sacredness of life and the spaces that protect it.”
Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, was also injured in the attack. During the last week, he had been pushing everyone to stay inside due to escalating danger from heavy shelling and military operations in the vicinity.
Read more: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-07/caritas-jerusalem-it-would-have-been-a-massacre.html
By Kielce Gussie | vaticannews
