In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Joseph Hazboun, the director of the Jerusalem office of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine (PMP), has expressed his deep sorrow over the devastation caused by the war.
Hazboun, a frequent traveler to Gaza, recently received distressing news of the destruction of the Arab Orthodox Cultural Center and the challenges faced by Christian refugees.
On the night of October 30, due to bombings, half of the Arab Orthodox Cultural Center was reduced to rubble. The center, inaugurated in 2019 after three decades of fundraising and collections, had become a vital community hub. Despite having over three thousand refugees inside, they were ordered to evacuate. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. The Pontifical Mission had been implementing a program to employ 24 workers, many of them Christians, to promote economic stability in the region. However, all these plans now require rebuilding.
Throughout the war, many Christians have sought refuge in the Latin church of the Holy Family and the Orthodox church of Saint Porphyrius. Both churches urgently reached out for assistance with food and water. The PMP responded by providing funds for medicine, food, and clothing to aid those who had to leave their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Hazboun shared that they are working tirelessly to connect with various institutions and offer support, comfort, and assistance to those affected by the conflict. The PMP continues to pray for an end to the tragedy before more homes are destroyed and civilian casualties escalate.
Among the many structures damaged in this war is the al-Ahli Hospital, a long-time partner of the Pontifical Mission since 2009. On October 14, the hospital's diagnostic center was hit by two projectiles, causing damage to the building and expensive equipment.
While there were no casualties at that moment, a subsequent explosion on October 18 resulted in a significant loss of life. Prior to these tragic events, the PMP had aided the hospital in becoming nearly 90% reliant on solar energy and had supported repairs following previous conflicts.
The Pontifical Mission for Palestine, founded in 1949 to assist the over 700,000 Palestinians who became refugees, has a rich history of humanitarian work. Supported by the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), it operates in Beirut, Amman, and Jerusalem. In Gaza, their support extended to the scout center and the Orthodox Church Committee, both of which were destroyed during the bombings at the Church of Saint Porphyrius.
Over the years, the PMP has funded various programs in Ramallah and Jerusalem, including the Rosary Sisters' school, initiatives to provide psychological support to traumatized children, food support projects, and subsidies for the poor and elderly.
Despite its original intent as a temporary organization, the Pontifical Mission's importance remains crucial after over 70 years.
As the conflict rages on, Joseph Hazboun and the Pontifical Mission for Palestine continue their vital work to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the Israel-Hamas war.