Caritas Norway condemns the attack on Caritas Jerusalem Psychosocial Center and the Catholic Church in Gaza, which has so far claimed two lives. The church has been a refuge for displaced civilians since the start of the war in October 2023.

– Caritas "I strongly urge all parties to respect and protect places of worship and humanitarian shelters - attacking or endangering civilians seeking refuge is a serious violation of international humanitarian law," said Ingrid Rosendorf Joys, Secretary-General of the Caritas Norway.

The explosion hit near the cross on the church roof, sending shrapnel and debris flying across the courtyard. At the time of the attack, some people were outside the main building, including Saad Salameh , the church's caretaker, and Fumayya Ayyad, who had sought refuge there. Both have been confirmed dead. In addition, three young people standing at the church entrance were seriously injured and taken to hospital. Several others suffered minor injuries, including cuts.

The parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, had in the days before the attack asked people to stay indoors due to increased shelling and military operations in the area. The situation escalated further when Israeli tanks approached the church.

A colleague in Caritas stated immediately after the attack:
"If Father Gabriel hadn't told us to stay inside, we could have lost 50 to 60 people today. It would have been a massacre."

“We are deeply shocked and deeply concerned for the safety of our colleagues and all civilians seeking refuge in Gaza. Our colleagues are putting their lives on the line every day to assist their fellow human beings with life-saving health care, psychosocial support, cash transfers and other essential measures for the Palestinians in Gaza. The international community must not be silent witnesses – action is needed now to protect lives and ensure respect for international law,” said Ingrid Rosendorf Joys, Secretary General of the Caritas Norway.

Caritas once again calls on the international community to act immediately to protect civilians, religious buildings and humanitarian sites, and to ensure that people in Gaza have access to the most basic right: the opportunity to survive.

– We have repeatedly demanded that medical equipment and emergency response must be allowed into Gaza. The lives of the two killed could not be saved because the hospital lacks critical equipment and the ability to provide blood transfusions, says Ingrid Rosendorf Joys, Secretary General of Caritas Norway.

For further comments contact:

Ingrid Rosendorf Joys, tel. 40 21 51 32