The situation in the Gaza Strip is an unprecedented emergency: the consequences of the war are devastating, and the difficulty of procuring any basic necessities poses a major threat to the survival of the entire civilian population.
In the Palestinian Territories, the crisis continues to worsen relentlessly. Since October 7, 2023, the population has been living in an atmosphere of intense tension, characterized by severe restrictions on freedom of movement, intensified military controls, and a progressive deterioration of socio-economic conditions. In the Gaza Strip, the situation has now crossed the threshold of a critical emergency. The closure of the crossings, decided by Israel following the launch of the offensive against Iran, severely limits the entry of humanitarian aid and access to medical care, worsening the already precarious condition of the population, which is heavily dependent on external assistance. Meanwhile, the regional escalation is amplifying the crisis. The scarcity of fuel, currently a critical resource globally, is paralyzing essential activities and putting the healthcare system under severe strain, while the shortage of basic necessities and medicines continues to drive up prices and worsen living conditions.
An intervention is necessary, and it must be immediate. We are active in the Gaza Strip to help the families most in difficulty, particularly those connected to the Catholic parish in Gaza City: these families represent a tiny minority—around 350 families—who are consequently discriminated against and hindered in various ways, adding great hardship to a situation that is already a dead end. Over the course of the conflict, the parish of Gaza City has become a hub of support and aid, not only for Christian families but also for the population of the surrounding neighborhoods.
2025
During 2025, our intervention in the Gaza Strip operated on two fronts: specialized support for inclusion and emergency reception. In a context marked by destruction and logistical blockades, every action became a concrete sign of hope.
A shelter for thousands
The heart of our welcoming efforts lies in supporting the Holy Family Parish, led by Father Romanelli. Here, about 700 families left homeless found not only shelter, but also a listening ear and human closeness. Despite the enormous difficulties in planning due to political instability, the parish has become a fundamental logistical center for the distribution of food items, first aid kits, blankets, clothes, and childcare products. Since the beginning of 2025, the Patriarchate has coordinated the entry of essential shipments—ranging from flour to infant formula, to the fuel needed to power the parish complex's only generator—seeking to reach the more than 500,000 people across the Strip who currently depend on humanitarian aid.
Inclusion and Health
Thanks to our collaboration with Atfaluna, we have placed the dignity of people with disabilities at the center. A project dedicated to 100 adolescent boys and girls offered them safe spaces for listening and rehabilitation, providing essential assistive devices to overcome physical barriers and regain independence in daily life: hearing aids, batteries, and speech therapy sessions. Attention was also paid to training families and caregivers to break down communication isolation and strengthen the support network around each youth. At the same time, our health and nutrition program guaranteed food, hygiene kits, and medicines to about 1,000 vulnerable individuals, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
Furthermore, we continue to support a joint psychosocial support project aimed at over 200 children and youth, including many with disabilities, in two refugee camps in Deir al-Balah. In a context marked by fear and deprivation, this intervention represents once again this year an oasis of listening, protection, and hope for the little ones, offering them the chance to find a space of serenity and growth even amidst the humanitarian crisis that continues to afflict the Strip. The program was carried out by qualified specialists—psychologists, educators, and therapists—committed every day to providing psychosocial and rehabilitative support, with particular attention to children and adolescents with disabilities. Through interactive and participatory activities such as storytelling, drawing, group games, moments of sharing, and relaxation exercises, the youths learned to recognize and manage their emotions, express themselves, and regain self-confidence. All activities took place in safe and welcoming spaces, often inside shelters or specially set up tents, which became true hubs of socialization.
Support continues with the association Per Far Sorridere il Cielo; we supported creative workshop activities and clown therapy for 200 children, involving 10 cultural workers. With Caritas Jerusalem, we carried out a program for prosthetics and orthopedic devices for those most affected by the conflict, reaching over 200 beneficiaries. The goal is to work on immediate needs, but also on essential ones, such as reducing the impact of trauma, improving physical mobility, and supporting nutrition. These are all methods whose ultimate objective is to offer relief and continuity of care to a population accustomed to living in extreme conditions, now more than ever.
In Past Years
We have been present in Gaza since 2007, and our intervention began with support for the "Butterfly Children" suffering from epidermolysis bullosa—a rare skin disease that makes any contact an agonizing pain. Over the years, through the "Help for Butterfly Children" project, we have provided physiotherapy sessions, creams, antibiotics, special shoes, and bandages to prevent contact even with their own clothes. Although the intensification of the conflict has made this specific support nearly impossible today, we have not abandoned the field.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in October 2023, our action has branched out across the entire Strip: from the Latin Parish to collaborations with Caritas Jerusalem and the association "Sulla via della carità" (On the Path of Charity) in Bethlehem. The latter, formed by Muslim women, prepared relief packages for 300 families in southern Gaza, also involving the children of Bethlehem in a beautiful gesture of educational solidarity.
