Despite Gaza City fighting, source at city’s only Catholic church says no plans to leave

By Lazar Berman

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16 September 2025, 2:26 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III in Gaza City's Holy Family Church, July 18, 2025, a day after the church was damaged by a shell fired from a nearby Israeli tank. (Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem)

As Israel kicks off its major ground offensive in Gaza City, the Catholic Holy Family Church in the city says it has no plans to leave, a source tells The Times of Israel.

The IDF has issued a general evacuation order for Gaza City, urging civilians to head south to a humanitarian zone.

Evacuating the grounds would be extremely difficult, as the nuns in the compound care for 60 to 70 Gazans with special needs.

In the meantime, some semblance of routine continues in the Strip’s only Catholic church. Prayers are held every day, and the community celebrated a birth and a wedding over the past week.