Jerusalem: Caritas Jerusalem, joined by Caritas Internationalis, has issued a fervent appeal for the protection of civilian lives and religious sanctuaries following a deadly Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza. The attack, which took place on the morning of July 17, claimed the lives of three civilians 60-year-old church janitor Saad Salameh, 84-year-old Fumayya Ayyad, and 69-year-old Najwa Abu Daoud who succumbed to injuries at Al-Mamadani Hospital amid severe shortages of medical supplies and blood. The church, the only Catholic parish in Gaza, had been serving as a shelter for displaced civilians amid the ongoing conflict.
Caritas described the incident as an unconscionable act and a violation of humanitarian values. Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, lamented the loss of life, calling it “a painful reminder of the appalling conditions that civilians and medical workers endure under siege.” Dutton reiterated the organization’s call for all warring parties to recognize and uphold the sacredness of life and to safeguard spaces such as churches, which serve as critical sanctuaries for the vulnerable. Parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli, who was also injured in the attack, had repeatedly warned people to remain indoors due to the growing danger of shelling a warning that, according to Caritas staff, may have prevented a much larger tragedy.
The bombing of the church came just days after Caritas Jerusalem published a report outlining the unprecedented collapse of daily life in Gaza. In a July 14 statement, the organization painted a harrowing picture: food supplies have nearly halted due to increasing attacks on aid seekers, leaving the entire population of 2.1 million at risk of starvation. Water and sanitation systems are in disarray, with nearly 80% of critical facilities located in active conflict zones. Illnesses such as acute watery diarrhea are rampant, and with hospitals overwhelmed and educational institutions paralyzed, the social infrastructure has all but disintegrated.
Caritas Jerusalem has already endured heavy losses. In late 2023, the organization lost two staff members and their children in separate bombings. Despite such tragedies, the organization continues to support displaced and wounded civilians, urging the global community to take immediate steps to halt the violence. Their latest appeal includes a strong call for respect toward international humanitarian law, including the protection of places of worship and medical facilities, the establishment of secure humanitarian corridors, and the guarantee of access to critical aid and healthcare for civilians.
As international concern mounts, Caritas Internationalis reaffirmed its solidarity with Caritas Jerusalem’s brave workers on the ground and echoed Pope Leo XIV’s call for an immediate ceasefire. The Catholic charity confederation insists that human dignity must not be allowed to perish in the fog of war. It called on all responsible actors both local and international to act urgently and decisively to stop the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.