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Order of Malta: attacks against the Holy Family parish in Gaza unacceptable

The Sovereign Order of Malta deems the attacks carried out on Thursday 17 July against the Catholic parish of the Holy Family in Gaza unacceptable. The Order of Malta expresses its full solidarity with the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, and the civilians injured in the raid on the place of worship, which in recent months has been a refuge for displaced persons and a centre for humanitarian aid in Gaza. The Order stands with the families of those affected and reiterates its firm condemnation of any attacks against the Palestinian civilian population and of all violations of international humanitarian law.

The Holy Family parish is at the heart of the humanitarian aid provided in Gaza by the Order of Malta, through Malteser International, in collaboration with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Since May 2024, 200 tonnes of food have been delivered to sustain more than 25,000 members of the civilian population, and the opening of a health care centre to serve the local community is currently in preparation.

DONATE: To make a donation to this important work via the Order of Malta in Britain, please go to: orderofmalta.org.uk/donate/ and mark your donation Holy Land.

The church as it was in 2022. Photo credit: Dan Palraz