Latest news with #GabrielRomanelli
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Britain joins 24 nations demanding Israel end war in Gaza claiming bloody conflict has plumbed ‘new depths'
BRITAIN joined 24 other nations demanding Israel end its war in Gaza yesterday claiming the bloody conflict had plumbed 'new depths.' The joint statement said it was 'horrifying' that more than 800 Palestinians in the strife-torn Advertisement But Israeli forces stepped up action in the central Gazan city of Deir al-Balah yesterday - despite fears An unprecedented joint statement condemning the war was signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. It said: 'We come together with a simple, urgent message: the war in Gaza must end now. The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. 'We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. Advertisement 'The hostages cruelly held captive by Hamas since 7 October 2023 continue to suffer terribly. We condemn their continued detention and call for their immediate and unconditional release. "A negotiated ceasefire offers the best hope of bringing them home and ending the agony of their families.' Israel's strongman president The statement added: 'Further bloodshed serves no purpose. We reaffirm our complete support to the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt. Advertisement Most read in The Sun 'We are prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.' Hamas-controlled health officials said yesterday that the toll of Parish priest Gabriel Romanelli is being treated after Israel hit Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza 1 Britain joined 24 other nations demanding Israel end its war in Gaza Credit: Getty
The National
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
John Swinney's 'sorrow' as priest he knows hurt in Israeli attack
The First Minister met father Gabriel Romanelli in Glasgow this year, the priest at the Holy Family Church in Gaza who was hurt in an air strike which killed three people. In a letter to cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Swinney said: 'It is with profound sorrow that I write to you to express my grief at the tragic loss of life and injury at the Holy Family Church in Gaza.' He said that the killings were 'but one of an untold number of tragedies that has come to pass in the region since October 7, 2023'. READ MORE: Harvie urges SNP to explain secret talks with Israeli diplomat Swinney added: 'Having spent time with father Gabriel Romanelli in Glasgow last year, alongside my wife, his personal injury – and the death, injury and suffering of his parishioners – brings the horror of this situation painfully close to home. 'Of course, your eminence, I was also honoured to take part in mass alongside you in St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh earlier this year. I know how deeply you will feel the loss of three members of the Holy Family Church in [[Gaza]].' Swinney, a member of the Church of Scotland but who is married to a Catholic, said that the Roman church's position on Gaza – which saw the late Pope Francis (below) remain in touch with the Holy Family Church in Gaza until his death and the new Pope Leo XIV call for an immediate ceasefire – gave him 'faith that a resolution to this conflict can be found'. (Image: PA) He added: ' Over 55,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began. Many more are being starved of food, water, and humanitarian aid. 'Reports that those seeking what little aid is permitted to enter Gaza face violence and death at the hands of the Israeli Government demands urgent international action. 'That the people of Gaza cannot even find peace and sanctuary within the confines of their place of worship brings me real pain.' Writing in The National earlier this month, Swinney revealed he had called on Keir Starmer to evacuate injured children in [[Gaza]] to Scotland to receive medical care. READ MORE: John Swinney 'received no response' from Keir Starmer on Gaza child evacuations But he has since said that Starmer has made no response and said in a statement: 'It is deeply saddening that so far the UK Government has refused to even enter into a dialogue about medical evacuations for children in [[Gaza]] who, without proper medical attention, will be left to die.' However, the Scottish Government has previously tried to retain good relations with the Israeli government, the Sunday National revealed at the weekend. External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson found himself at the centre of a political storm last year when it emerged he had held a secret meeting with Israeli deputy ambassador Daniela Grudsky. It has since emerged that Scottish Government officials talked up Edinburgh as being a "critical friend" of Israel.
The Journal
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Young man injured in Israeli attack on Catholic church in Gaza says ‘love is stronger than war'
A YOUNG MAN who was seriously injured in an Israeli attack on Gaza's only Catholic parish has said he hopes he can 'start his life again after the attack'. On Thursday, an Israeli tank attacked the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, which the late Pope Francis called daily. Over 600 people, both Christians and Muslims, are sheltered in the parish within its church and school – the majority are children and 54 have additional needs. Image of the damaged Holy Family Catholic church in Gaza Three people were killed and ten others were injured in the attack, including the parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli. Suhail Abo Dawood, a young Catholic student from Gaza, was also seriously injured. From Gaza, he contributes to L'Osservatore Romano with his column: 'I write to you from Gaza.' L'Osservatore Romano is the daily newspaper of Vatican City. His most recent column on 8 July was titled 'Love Is Stronger Than War'. In a video message from his hospital bed, he repeated this message to L'Osservatore Romano's Jerusalem correspondent, Roberto Cetera. Suhail is a young Catholic student from Gaza, seriously wounded in the Israeli attack on the Holy Family parish on Thursday. He writes a column for L'Osservatore Romano, the Holy See's newspaper. Although Suhail sustained shrapnel wounds to his internal organs during… — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) July 19, 2025 He sustained shrapnel wounds to his internal organs during Thursday's attack, but the shrapnel has now been removed and his condition has improved. He said he is feeling 'much better than yesterday' and thanked people for their prayers and messages. 'I hope I can start my life again and continue my vocation in Italy.' He added: 'As always, love is stronger than war.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret for the deaths, which he blamed on a 'stray' round after a phone call with US President Donald Trump. Advertisement However, the top Catholic official in the Middle East questioned whether is was a mistake. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, told Vatican News the IDF claimed that the strike by a tank was 'by mistake'. However, he added: 'We are not sure about this, they hit the church directly.' Catholic media outlet The Pillar reports that a tank was allegedly involved in the attack, and reporters in Gaza have reported that a drone strike had also taken place. Cardinal Pizzaballa told The Pillar that he is 'not sure' whether the attack was entirely accidental. In a social media post, Israel claimed it 'never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any harm to a religious site or to uninvolved civilians'. Cardinal Pizzaballa also said the church compound had been a 'sanctuary' where people hoped to escape the 'horrors of the war'. El párroco argentino Gabriel Romanelli fue herido luego de que atacaran la iglesia Sagrada Familia en Gaza. El bombardeo dejó a dos muertos y cuatro heridos. 📹 Vía: @CatholicArena — Corta (@somoscorta) July 17, 2025 Yesterday, he brought with tonnes of food aid, first aid kits and medical equipment for the Holy Family Church community and other families in need. He also assisted in evacuating people injured in the attack. Pope Leo XIV spoke to Netanyahu on the phone yesterday morning and is said to have 'repeated his appeal for a renewed push for negotiations, a ceasefire and an end to the war'. 'He again expressed his concern about the tragic humanitarian situation for the population of Gaza, whose children, elderly and sick are paying an agonising price,' said the Holy See press office. The late Pope Francis had been in daily contact with the Holy Family Church since 9 October, 2023, two days after the bombings began in Gaza. Francis continued to hold these calls during his extensive hospitalisation prior to his death in April. The late pontiff described the parish community as 'very courageous' and he used his final public address to call for an end to the 'deplorable humanitarian situation' in Gaza. Francis also described some Israeli actions in Gaza as 'terrorism' in his memoir. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 58,765 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Gaza. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Scoop
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Israel's Deadly Attack On The Holy Family Church In Gaza Is A Heinous Crime And Crime Against Humanity
The New African Charter International (NACI) is saddened by the unprovoked criminal and brutal attack on a place of worship in Gaza. In particular, NACI condemns in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, Palestine on Thursday 17th July, 2025. It is reported that two people were killed and many others wounded in that terror attack, including the Church's Priest-Father Gabriel Romanelli. According to reports on the ground, the Holy Family Church is the only place of worship that until before this attack, that had survived Israeli aggression on Palestinian lands and territory. It is also reported that this Church was being used to serve as a sanctuary for dozens of internally displaced Palestinian families seeking refuge from the ongoing Israeli campaign of extermination of whole peoples, whole nations and whole regions, as well as the destruction of the environment. We condemn these and all acts of terrorism against all peoples. NACI is committed to a culture of peace, non-violence and respect for the right to life. The violation of life committed in this latest Gaza Church attack is abhorrent and speaks of an atmosphere prevailing in occupied Palestine today, where every living thing is a target for liquidation with no exception. However, we recognize that the ongoing unstopped genocide and race cleansing campaign on Palestinian Arab lands and territory, is aggravated by the unjust and race-filled structural system of the UN decision-making process, which allows Israel to launch brutal attacks on Palestine with impunity, and with no regards to international law and principles. This speaks of the absence of concrete action from the nuclear powers and permanent UN Security Council members-states, to protect and defend human rights and international law. While we call for a structural reform of the process, allowing for more efficient and effective approach in resolving international conflicts and a better protection of civilians, NACI demands an end to the grave injustice meted on Palestinian Arab people. The current situation in the occupied Palestinian lands and territory has been lasting for over half a century, and there is no defined hope that the United Nations would be allowed to shoulder its responsibility, to resolve the Palestinian question. NACI is deeply concern by the lack of alternatives to a violent intervention in the Palestinian situation. The latest Israeli attack on the Church in Gaza is a grave injustice and stands condemned by all. It is deserving of utter condemnation and repudiation by all elements of society, and has indeed been so condemned and rejected. For this, we appreciate the prompt statement issued by Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican, expressing profound sorrow over the loss of life and injuries caused by the Israeli assault. The Pontiff reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire to allow peace to prevail in that region. It is universally accepted that terrorism in whatever form or manifestation is unjustifiable and constitute heinous crime and crime against humanity, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. War criminals have of late find it a luxury to export their trademark to targeted countries of the world that are on the list for destruction. In the face of Israeli brutality towards Palestine and other countries, the international civilized community must stand together to save humanity against actions of war criminals. We condemn the lack of respect of international law and the disregard for United Nations Charter, the core of Israel's regional and foreign policy towards its neighbors and humanity. More so, we call on the United Nations Security Council to retrieve influence on the situation and to organize in order to ensure security in the face of violence and to guarantee justice for all Palestinian Arab people, whether living at home or displaced or in refugee camps or in exile. It is thus incumbent upon United Nations Security Council to immediately, and by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, to stand with all victims of such heinous attacks in occupied Palestine and around the world. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go to the families of the victims in the Israeli attacks on the Church in Gaza, and wish a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured in this despicable act. NACI advocates the human rights and freedoms of Palestinian Arab people as they fight for their rights to exist equally with other human race and colour; and to uphold the rights of Palestinians to life. God save Palestine and Palestinian people!
L'Orient-Le Jour
18-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Latin Patriarchate announces 3 deaths in strike on Gaza church
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced Thursday the death of three people in an Israeli strike on the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, which has served as a refuge for this small community since the beginning of the war 21 months ago. Israel, which is at war with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza, said it "never targets" religious sites in the Palestinian territory, adding it was "reviewing" the circumstances under which the church was damaged. According to local Civil Defense, a total of 25 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Thursday in the Gaza Strip, where the war began after an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. "This morning, at around 10:20 a.m., the Holy Family Complex in Gaza City [north], belonging to the Latin Patriarchate, was struck by the Israeli army," the Latin Patriarchate said in a statement. "At this time, three people have lost their lives as a result of their injuries, and 10 others have been wounded, two of them in serious condition," it added, revising upward a previous toll of two dead. The church, which is sheltering hundreds of displaced people, suffered damage. Since the beginning of the war, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who was wounded in the strike, had been regularly communicating by video link with former Pope Francis, who died in April. Inside Gaza City's Al-Ahli hospital, the wounded are receiving care in tents. Among them is Father Romanelli, with a bandage around his leg. Some wounded arrived on stretchers. One is wearing an oxygen mask. Other Palestinians wept beside bodies covered with white mortuary bags lying on the ground. 'Unacceptable' "In the morning, a tank targeted us and hit the church. Several civilians were killed and wounded," Shadi Abou Daoud, a displaced person whose 70-year-old mother died in the strike, told AFP. According to the Patriarchate, "targeting a sacred site that is sheltering around 600 displaced people, mostly children, is a flagrant violation of human dignity ... and of the sanctity of religious sites, which are supposed to provide safe shelter in times of war." The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, told Vatican News: "What we know for certain is that a tank directly hit the church. The Israeli army says it was by mistake, but we are not sure." Pope Leo XIV said he was "deeply saddened" and renewed his call for an "immediate cease-fire" in Gaza, where indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel over a truce are at a standstill. Israel expressed its "deep sorrow" over the damage and civilian casualties, adding that the army was investigating. "Israel never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any damage to a religious site or uninvolved civilians," the foreign ministry said. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused Israel. "Israeli raids on Gaza have hit the Church of the Holy Family. The attacks on the civilian population carried out by Israel for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such behavior." 'Apologies' France condemned the "unacceptable" bombing of the Church of the Holy Family. The priest, pastor of the Holy Family parish for many years, remained in Gaza alongside some 400 faithful after the war broke out. The small Catholic community found refuge within the church compound, which also sheltered Orthodox Christians. The Gaza Strip has about 1,000 Christians out of a population of more than two million people, besieged by Israel since October 2023 and on the brink of famine, according to the United Nations. Most Christians are Orthodox, but according to the Patriarchate, about 135 Catholics live in the Palestinian territory. "One can wonder if Israel is targeting Christian communities ... This is a place of worship. There was no strategic objective; there were no jihadists in this church. There were families, civilians," Monsignor Pascal Gollnisch, director general of Oeuvre d'Orient, told AFP. The Oct. 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas and launched in retaliation a devastating offensive in which at least 58,667 people, mostly civilians, have been killed, according to Gaza Health Ministry data regarded as reliable by the United Nations.
