The Sovereign Order of Malta deems the attacks carried out Thursday morning against the Catholic parish of the Holy Family in Gaza unacceptable. The attack on the church left three dead and at least nine injured. The Order of Malta expresses its full solidarity with the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, being among the wounded, and the civilians injured in the raid on the place of worship. In recent months, the church has been a refuge for displaced persons and a center 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, 220 tons of food have been delivered to sustain more than 25,000 members of the civilian population, and the opening of a health care center to serve the local community is currently in preparation.