Catholic and Greek Orthodox Clergy Stay in Gaza Amid Rising Violence

Catholic and Greek Orthodox priests and nuns have decided to remain in Gaza City, despite Israel’s plans for a military takeover, religious leaders said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem acknowledged that evacuation orders were already in place for several neighborhoods and that heavy bombardment was ongoing. “We do not know exactly what will happen on the ground, not only for our community but for the entire population,” the statement said.

Since the outbreak of the war, hundreds of displaced people, including children and those with special needs, have found shelter in the Greek Orthodox compound of Saint Porphyrius and the Catholic Holy Family compound. In July, stray Israeli fire hit the Holy Family Church, killing three people and injuring 10 others, including the parish priest.

The statement highlighted the dire conditions of those seeking refuge. “Many are weakened and malnourished due to the hardships of the last months. Leaving Gaza City and trying to flee south would be nothing less than a death sentence. For this reason, the clergy and nuns have decided to remain and continue to care for all those who will be in the compounds.”

Currently, around 645 Catholics and Orthodox Christians remain in the Gaza Strip, including five priests and five nuns, the Latin Patriarchate said.

Israel’s cabinet approved a plan in early August for the military to take over Gaza City, despite increasing pressure domestically and internationally to end the war, which has caused a humanitarian crisis and widespread devastation. The United Nations declared a famine in Gaza last Friday.

The conflict began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, which killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 62,744 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, figures considered reliable by the UN.