As violence and starvation deepen in Gaza, the pastor of the area’s only Catholic church told a pontifical charity, “We remain in the hands of the Lord.”
Father Gabriel Romanelli of Holy Family Parish in Gaza – who sustained a leg injury in a widely condemned July 17 Israeli strike on the church that killed three and wounded more than 10 – shared his latest thoughts in a message to Aid to the Church in Need.
According to a July 29 ACN news article, the Argentine-born Father Romanelli told the charity that he and his community remain “deeply affected by the facts” of the July 17 attack, but “continue to do good, protecting the children, the sick and the wounded.
“Here we are, after these terrible days of war, and especially these bombings: 15 people were hit, three of them died and two are still in serious condition,” Father Romanelli told ACN.
The priest said he was grateful for assistance provided by the agency and all those who help sustain the church in the Holy Land.
“Firstly, I want to say thank you for the prayers and friendship of Aid to the Church in Need, which fill our hearts,” said Father Romanelli. “And besides that, I know that ACN has plenty of initiatives to help the Christians in the Middle East, especially in these parts of the Holy Land, in the West Bank and in Gaza.”
Father Romanelli’s voice was “filled with hope,” said ACN. “We wait for peace. It is absolutely necessary. Once more, thank you so much for all the spiritual, moral and material help,” said Father Romanelli. “May God bless you and may the Virgin Mary protect all ACN benefactors, their families and loved ones.”
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas War, which was sparked by the latter’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, hundreds have sheltered at the Holy Family complex.
In December 2023, a woman named Nahida and her adult daughter Samar were killed by Israeli firepower at Holy Family as they walked to the convent. In a statement at the time, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said they had been shot “in cold blood,” with “one … killed as she tried to carry the other to safety.” Seven others were wounded in that attack.
So far, more than 60,000 Palestinians have died in the Israel-Hamas war, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. When Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, about 1,200 people were killed and another 5,400 were wounded. Those killed by Hamas included 800 civilians of which 36 were children, 346 Israeli soldiers, and 66 police officers. More than 40 American citizens and citizens of another 30 countries were also among those killed. In addition to the deaths, an additional 251 people were abducted and taken as hostages to the Gaza Strip. As of July 30, 2025, 50 Israeli hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, and of these, 30 are presumed dead.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC – a measurement initiative by a global consortium of food security organizations and agencies, including Catholic Relief Services – has warned that Gaza is at risk of famine, with both serious and critical levels of acute malnutrition throughout the densely populated region. “Increasingly stringent blockades” by Israel have “dramatically worsened” conditions, said the IPC.
Since 1947, ACN has worked under the guidance of the pope to provide pastoral and humanitarian assistance to persecuted Catholics. At present, ACN manages well over 5,000 projects in upwards of 145 countries each year. The organization also stands ready to offer aid in times of natural disaster.
