Gaza – "Nabd ElHaya" – In an unannounced visit, a delegation from the United Nations, including representatives of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), arrived at the Latin Parish of the Holy Family in the heart of the Gaza Strip. Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, the parish has become a refuge for nearly 500 displaced Christians who lost their homes and all their possessions.
Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, told "SIR" news agency – the official agency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference – that this was the delegation’s first visit to the parish, which took place on July 1. “The delegation came to witness our situation firsthand, to greet the displaced, and to listen to their painful and troubling testimonies,” he said.
The delegation toured the parish grounds and church courtyard, dedicating time to severely disabled children from Muslim families who are lovingly cared for by the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s order). During the visit, a prayer for peace was held in the church, with the visitors participating before departing with words of gratitude for the parish’s humanitarian work and solidarity, extended not only to Christians but also to Muslim families in the neighborhood.
Amid worsening humanitarian conditions and a bleak political horizon, Fr. Romanelli voiced concern over a recurring pattern: “a ceasefire is promised one day, only to be followed by evacuation orders the next,” as he told SIR. “One day, aid arrives; the next, it is blocked. People are living under tremendous psychological pressure, moving across the Strip carrying whatever belongings they have left,” he added.
A Deadly Silence
Fr. Romanelli strongly criticized what he called the “deadly silence” of the international community, saying it is no less lethal than the weapons used in the war. As reports continue to surface about unarmed refugees being targeted while waiting for aid, and ongoing investigations into orders to shoot civilians, thousands of families in Gaza remain trapped in suffering.
The Israeli army has come under fire after reports indicated that soldiers opened fire on unarmed refugees awaiting humanitarian aid. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz recently revealed that soldiers had received orders to shoot unarmed civilians, prompting investigations into possible war crimes.
Fr. Romanelli also emphasized that, despite limited resources, the parish has become a rare shared space of hope for both Christians and Muslims in the face of war and deprivation. “We make no distinctions – every person in need finds a safe place here,” he affirmed, adding that the UN visit cast a spotlight on the resilience of the local community.
It is worth noting that the Holy Family Parish is the only Latin-rite Catholic church in Gaza. It received special attention from the late Pope Francis, who used to call Fr. Romanelli daily, with his last call taking place just two days before the pope’s passing on April 21.