The priest injured in an attack on the only Catholic Church in Gaza has thanked a Catholic charity for its support – as innocents continue to suffer.

A shell from an Israeli Forces tank hit the Holy Family Catholic Church, in Gaza City on July 17, killing three people and wounding 12 others including Parish Priest Father Gabriel Romanelli.

Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in need (ACN) on July 29, Father Romanelli, who was injured in the leg and side, said: “Here we are, after these terrible days of war, and especially these bombings – 15 people were hit, three of them died and two are still in serious condition.

 “I want to say thank you for the prayers and friendship of Aid to the Church in Need, which fill our hearts.

“And besides that, I know that ACN has plenty of initiatives to help the Christians in the Middle East, especially in these parts of the Holy Land, in the West Bank and in Gaza.”

Father Romanelli added: “We are deeply affected by the facts of Thursday, 17 July, but we remain in the hands of the Lord.

“We continue to do good, protecting the children, the sick and the wounded.”

The Holy Family Church is currently hosting more than 500 people including displaced children, elderly, sick and those with disabilities.

On Sunday, 27 July, a temporary ceasefire was announced to allow urgent humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

Father Romanelli said: “We wait for peace. It is absolutely necessary. Once more, thank you so much for the entire spiritual, moral, and material help.

“May God bless you and may the Virgin Mary protect all ACN benefactors, their families and loved ones.”

Last week Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, warned that denying humanitarian aid “is a matter of life and death”.

He said: “Refusing it is not a delay, but a sentence. Every hour without food, water, medicine and shelter causes deep harm.”

ACN has increased its support for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s work in the region which includes food coupons, medicine and trauma counseling.