[Michigan, July 17, 2025]
The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) strongly condemns the Israeli military’s attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left several others injured, including Father Gabriel Romanelli, the church’s priest.
The Holy Family Church, the only remaining functioning Christian place of worship in Gaza, has served as a sanctuary for dozens of displaced families seeking refuge from the ongoing Israeli campaign of indiscriminate killings, starvation, and destruction. Tragically, in Gaza today, every living soul appears to be a target, with no exception.
In a written statement, Pope Leo XIV expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life and injuries caused by the Israeli assault, reiterating his call for an immediate ceasefire.
As with previous similar crimes and violations, Israel’s expression of regret regarding the damage to the church and harm to civilian’s rings hollow—mere rhetoric aimed at deflecting global condemnation of its ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has repeatedly targeted houses of worship for both Palestinian Muslims and Palestinian Christians in Gaza. Israel has also bombed schools, hospitals, medical personnel, journalists, humanitarian workers, and charitable organizations. The Holy Family Church in Gaza is just the latest addition to a long list of Israeli crimes.
AHRC extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a swift and full recovery to those injured.
AHRC calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the free entry of aid into Gaza. The world should not allow the genocide to continue.
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The American Human Rights Council (AHRC) is dedicated to defending and protecting human rights as outlined in the U.S. Constitution and the United Nations 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The AHRC was formed to protect these rights and advocate for anyone whose rights are being violated or denied. To that end, the AHRC will build a tenacious, objective, and carefully guided advocacy program that will serve to defend individual human rights, whenever and wherever they are being infringed upon. NGO in Consultative Status with the Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC)-United Nations
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NGO in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations