Cardinal Pizzaballa makes rare visit to Gaza after Israeli strike on church
Three Palestinians were killed and several others wounded in the Israeli strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza City a day earlier.
Photos released by the church showed its roof had been hit close to the main cross, scorching the stone facade, and that windows had been broken.
The church has offered shelter to hundreds of Palestinians since the start of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023.
In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera daily, Pizzaballa said a Catholic presence would remain in Gaza "whatever happens," and expressed doubts about Israel's comments that the strike was a mistake.
"We are not a target. They say it was an error. Even if everybody here believes it wasn't," the cardinal said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday blamed "stray ammunition" and said his country was "investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites."
It is extremely rare for foreign officials to be allowed entry into Gaza, as Israel has sealed off all borders. Pizzaballa was accompanied by Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.
The two religious leaders brought "hundreds of tons of food supplies as well as first aid kits and urgently needed medical equipment," Pizzaballa's Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement.
The aid is meant not only for Gaza's small Christian community but for "as many families as possible", the Patriarchate said, adding it also ensured the evacuation of those injured in the church strike.
Pope Leo, who on Thursday said he was "deeply saddened" by the attack but declined to blame Israel for it, called the cardinal and Theophilos on Friday to convey his support for their mission, Pizzaballa told Vatican media.
The Pope expressed his love and affection for the Gaza parish community "and reiterated his intention to do everything possible to stop the needless slaughter of innocents," the Vatican said.
Reporting by Reuters
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