HOLY LAND - Patriarchs of Jerusalem: "The gates of hell have already been opened, but the clergy and nuns will remain in Gaza"

Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – The "Gates of Hell" have already been opened in the Gaza Strip. However, the clergy and nuns still present will not leave Gaza City, but will remain until the end to stand by the suffering people. This was stated in a statement issued today, Tuesday, August 26, by the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Jerusalem, under the leadership of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Patriarch Theophilos III, respectively.
"The gates of Hell will soon open," said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, commenting on the Israeli government's decision to launch a military operation to gain complete control of Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of civilians still remain.

"At the time of this statement," reads the text released by the two Patriarchates, "evacuation orders were already in place for several neighborhoods in Gaza City. Reports of heavy bombardment continue to be received. There is more destruction and death in a situation that was already dramatic before this operation. It seems that the Israeli government’s announcement that “the gates of hell will open” is indeed taking on tragic forms. The experience of past campaigns in Gaza, the declared intentions of the Israeli government with regard to the current operation, and the reports now reaching us from the ground, show that the operation is not just a threat, but a reality that is already in the process of being implemented."
The joint statement recalls that since the outbreak of the war, the Greek Orthodox compound of Saint Porphyrius and the Holy Family compound have been a refuge for hundreds of civilians. Among them are elderly people, women, and children. For years, the Latin compound has hosted people with disabilities, who are under the care of the Sisters Missionaries of Charity. "Like other residents of Gaza City," reads the text published by the two patriarchates, "the refugees living in the facilities will have to decide according to their conscience what they will do. Among those who have sought shelter within the walls of the compounds, many are weakened and malnourished due to the hardships of the last months. Leaving Gaza City and trying to flee to the south would be nothing less than a death sentence. For this reason, the clergy and nuns have decided to remain and continue to care for all those who will be in the compounds."
The declaration affirms that "there can be no future based on captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge," and echoes what Pope Leo XIV said to a group of refugees from the Chagos Islands on August 23: "All peoples, even the smallest and weakest, must be respected by the powerful in their identity and rights, especially the right to live in their own lands; and no one can force them into exile."

The military ground offensive launched by the Israeli army has the stated goal of deporting the Palestinian population from the entire northern Gaza Strip.
Yesterday was marked in particular by the massacre at Nasserdi Khan Yunis Hospital, the only public health facility in the southern Gaza Strip. The bombing, according to the news portal Ambamed, "was carried out using a double-strike technique. The artillery dropped the first bombs, and as the rescuers began their work, more followed. A total of 20 people were killed, including six journalists, a doctor, a group of nurses, and civil defense volunteers."

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin also commented on the recent Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. "We are appalled by what is happening in Gaza, despite the condemnation of the whole world," he told journalists on Monday at the opening of the 75th National Liturgical Week in Naples, commenting on the latest developments in the ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip. Parolin called it a "senseless" approach. He lamented that there seem "to be no openings for a solution" and that the humanitarian situation was becoming "increasingly complicated." (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 26/8/2025)

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