“There has been ‘no” order of evacuation in this area of our neighborhood. Our area is in the Old City of Gaza, within the larger neighborhood of Zeytoun.”

Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, IVE, parish priest of the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, made that declaration to Vatican Media on Tuesday, August 19.

“The area is dangerous. Bombings can be heard night and day. Some far away, others closer. At times, even shrapnel arrives,” said Fr. Romanelli.

“Unfortunately, the war continues. And, with the war, every day there are more dead, wounded, and destruction are added... and the needs of every kind for the entire civilian population of Gaza grow,” he continued.

“We are well, thanks be to God,” concluded Fr. Romanelli. “We continue to pray for peace.”

Several hundred people have taken refuge at the only Catholic Church in Gaza since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023.

A tank round struck the church on July 17, killing three people and injuring several others, including Fr. Romanelli, whose leg was slightly wounded.

In the wake of that incident, Pope Leo XIV prayed for the victims by name, calling for an end to the “barbarism of war” and expressing his hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.