Senior church delegation from Jerusalem visits Gaza, backs humanitarian and health efforts

A senior church delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip on Monday, including Patriarch of the Holy City and All Palestine and Jordan Theophilos III, and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, accompanied by humanitarian and health officials and representatives of international relief organisations.

The visit aims to express solidarity and assess the worsening humanitarian situation in the enclave.

In a statement received by Quds Press, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate said the visit reflects the responsibility of the churches of Jerusalem towards their local counterparts and the people of Gaza, amid the severe humanitarian conditions facing Palestinians and the continued suffering of thousands of families who have lost relatives and homes during the war.

The statement said the delegation also includes Joseph Blotz, head of humanitarian and health activities at the Sovereign Order of Malta, along with representatives of the humanitarian organisation Malteser International, as part of efforts to strengthen relief work and support health services in Gaza.

As part of the visit, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa visited Al Ahli Arab Hospital (Baptist Hospital) in central Gaza City, where he reviewed conditions at the hospital and the adjacent church amid the humanitarian and health challenges facing the territory after more than two years of war.

The visit included a tour of the hospital and meetings with its management to assess its needs and operating conditions, as it continues to face severe shortages of medical resources and basic services.

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