Paris: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said the situation in the Holy Land has witnessed a 'continuous deterioration' since October 7, 2023, describing the current period as the most difficult in the region's modern history from political, social, and humanitarian perspectives.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency, Pizzaballa, speaking at a press conference at the headquarters of the L'€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¾¢uvre d'Orient association in Paris, indicated that violence has become the dominant language in political and media discourse. He warned that the dehumanization of others paves the way for further violence.
Addressing the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the cardinal stated that most residents are currently living in tents or among the rubble following the widespread destruction of infrastructure. He noted that reconstruction efforts have not yet commenced and that there are no clear indications regarding how or when the process will start.
Pizzaballa emphasized that the Church continues to maintain a presence in Gaza through the city's parish and its only partially functioning school, the Holy Family School, which serves around 600 students. He stressed that the suffering of residents is compounded not only by current conditions but also by the absence of any clear vision for an end to the war, a situation that is having a profound psychological impact on families and children.
Additionally, Pizzaballa warned that in the West Bank, the expansion of Israeli settlements, settler attacks, impunity, and daily military checkpoints are making life increasingly difficult for Palestinians. He also referred to the situation in the Christian village of Taybeh, saying the Church receives emergency calls from the community almost daily, and emphasized that the current reality cannot continue indefinitely.