RAMALLAH, July 18, 2025 – The President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, strongly condemned the recent Israeli airstrike that targeted the Latin Patriarchate Church in Gaza on Thursday. The attack resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to more than ten others.

The church was also sheltering around 600 displaced people at the time of the attack.

In a phone call with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, President Abbas extended his condolences for the loss of life and expressed his solidarity with the Christian community in Palestine.

He emphasized the urgent need to safeguard holy sites and to protect and strengthen the historic Christian presence in the Holy Land.

President Abbas also spoke by phone with Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the church, to inquire about his health following injuries he sustained during the Israeli bombardment.

The President characterized the targeting of the church as a dangerous escalation in the ongoing series of attacks against Islamic and Christian holy sites, as well as against the Palestinian people as a whole.

He warned that such actions demonstrate a systematic policy that disregards civilian lives and places of worship, which is a clear violation of international law and humanitarian principles.

President Abbas urged the international community and mediators to act swiftly to implement a sustainable ceasefire, secure the release of hostages and detainees, ensure the entry of humanitarian aid, and facilitate the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

He emphasized the State of Palestine's commitment to taking full responsibility in the Gaza Strip. This includes helping displaced civilians return to their homes, providing essential services, starting the reconstruction efforts, and participating in a political process aimed at ending the occupation of all Palestinian territories that have been occupied since 1967, with East Jerusalem designated as the capital, in accordance with international law.