The parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza issued an urgent appeal for peace and humanitarian corridors to assist citizens “who pose no threat to anyone”.
“They are all relatives, friends, people we care about, people we loved,” said Fr. Gabriel Romanelli in a video message recorded on October 24.
According to Vatican News, the priest recorded the message the day before an air strike caused extensive damage to the area adjacent to the parish where hundreds of refugees are sheltered.
The Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza has been aiding the injured from the blast that hit a Greek Orthodox Church on October 19, leading to the loss of 18 Christian Palestinians who were seeking refuge there.
The injured have been transported to hospitals, while others have taken refuge within the parish, alongside refugees who had already sought shelter there.
The parish is providing shelter to at least 700 people, including children from Mother Teresa’s mission.
Fr. Romanelli lamented the rising number of casualties in Gaza. “The situation is critical. The bombings occur day and night,” the priest said.
“What we are asking for is a stop to this war and the creation of humanitarian corridors to ensure the well-being of everyone,” he said.
He said many more are still trapped under the rubble and “the hope of finding them alive is almost non-existent, including some eight hundred children.”
“There is no safe place in the entire Gaza Strip,” he said, adding that his parishioners fear that they will end up like their neighbors at the Greek Orthodox church.
The priest expressed hopes that his recorded message would reach the Israeli authorities and other governments in the region.
“Please, let them know that the parish, for example, is filled with ordinary people and Muslim neighbors. These are civilians who pose no danger to anyone,” he said.
At least 6,546 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, while more than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel since October 7.
