Church leaders visit Gaza after deadly strike on Christian site

Catholic and Greek Orthodox leaders made a rare visit to Gaza on Friday, July 18, following a deadly Israeli tank shell strike on the Holy Family Church, which killed three people and wounded nine.

Catholic Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III toured the damaged site, met local Christians, and delivered food, medical supplies and first aid kits.

The aid was distributed to both Christians and other families in the war-torn north.

الجمعة 18 تموز 2025 – صور من الزيارة التضامنية التي يقوم بها غبطة الكاردينال بييرباتيستا بيتسابالا، بطريرك القدس للاتين، وغبطة البطريرك ثيوفيلوس الثالث، بطريرك الروم الأرثوذكس، إلى كنيسة العائلة المقدسة في غزة.
Friday, July 18, 2025 – Photos from the solidarity visit of His… pic.twitter.com/LJBBP5xjQX

— Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (@LPJerusalem) July 18, 2025

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate said Gaza’s Christians have faced a “relentless humanitarian catastrophe” for over 21 months and noted the visit followed rising settler violence in the West Bank.

Though the IDF blamed the strike on stray fire, Cardinal Pizzaballa told Italian media, “They say it was an error. Even if everybody here believes it wasn’t.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu told Pope Leo XIV that Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites.