In the midst of one of the most devastating conflicts to hit the Gaza Strip in recent history, a group of Christian leaders have made a courageous decision that is drawing global attention.
Clergy and nuns from both the Greek Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in Gaza City have announced that they will remain in the war-torn enclave to continue caring for the most vulnerable civilians, despite the impending Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) ground operation aimed at capturing the city.
According to a joint statement monitored by GospelRaw, the leaders emphasized that the compounds of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius and the Holy Family Catholic Church have become sanctuaries for hundreds of displaced residents since the war erupted in October 2023.
Those who have sought refuge include the elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities, many of whom are physically unable to evacuate to southern Gaza.
“We Will Stay With Our People”
The statement issued by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem made it clear that leaving is not an option for the clergy.
“Like other residents of Gaza City, the refugees residing in the compounds will have to make their own decisions based on their conscience. For our part, we will stay and continue to care for all those under our protection,” the leaders declared.
They described the dire humanitarian situation inside the compounds. Food supplies are running low, medical care is almost nonexistent, and many people are severely weakened due to months of siege conditions.
“Leaving Gaza City and attempting to flee south would likely result in certain death,” the statement explained, referencing the dangerous conditions on evacuation routes and the indiscriminate shelling in surrounding areas.
Despite the fear and uncertainty, the church leaders stressed that their decision is rooted in faith and compassion. They insisted that displacement, captivity, or revenge cannot form the basis of a peaceful future in the region.
“We do not know exactly what will happen on the ground for our community or the broader population. We can only reiterate that a future based on displacement, captivity, or revenge is not the solution,” the statement read.
They also called for an immediate end to the conflict, describing the ongoing war as “senseless and destructive.” The patriarchates urged for the safe return of hostages held in Gaza and appealed to the international community to step in and support efforts toward reconciliation.
“It is time for healing for all the long-suffering families,” the statement concluded.
The Christian community in Gaza, though small in number, has already borne the brunt of the violence.
In July 2024, an IDF airstrike hit the Holy Family Church compound, killing three people and leaving several others injured. The Israeli military later claimed that the incident was the result of a misfired munition.
The attack drew swift condemnation from Christian leaders worldwide. Following the strike, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III traveled into the Gaza Strip to assess the damage and meet with survivors. Their visit was seen as a gesture of solidarity with Gaza’s Christian minority, who now number just a few hundred amid a predominantly Muslim population.
The Christian population in Gaza has long played a vital role in education, health care, and humanitarian work. Both the Greek Orthodox and Catholic communities run schools, clinics, and charities that serve all Gazans regardless of religion.
Since the conflict escalated last year, their compounds have turned into makeshift shelters for civilians with nowhere else to go. Families crowd into chapels, classrooms, and church courtyards, hoping the religious sanctuaries will offer protection from airstrikes.
Yet, even these holy sites are not immune to the devastation of war. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that civilians sheltering in religious institutions remain at high risk.
The decision of Gaza’s Christian leaders to remain in the city has sparked widespread admiration across faith communities and humanitarian groups around the world. Many see it as a powerful act of moral courage in the face of danger.
The World Council of Churches and several Catholic humanitarian organizations have already issued statements praising the clergy for standing with the vulnerable. Calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian corridors have also intensified in recent weeks as the humanitarian crisis worsens.
As Gaza braces for further military escalation, the steadfastness of its Christian leaders serves as both a symbol of faith and a cry for peace. Their decision to stay, even at the risk of their own lives, highlights the dire plight of civilians trapped in the conflict and underscores the urgent need for international action.
In their final words, the patriarchates summed up the spirit of their mission:
“We remain in Gaza not for ourselves, but for those who have no one else. Until there is peace, we will not abandon them.”
