Pope Leo XIV Decries "Barbarity" of Gaza War Following Deadly Incidents
Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the ongoing "barbarity" of the war in Gaza, particularly highlighting the recent deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid and the attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City. His remarks come as the humanitarian crisis deepens, with increasing reports of casualties among civilians and restricted access to essential services.
85 Palestinians Killed While Seeking Food Aid
On Sunday, July 20, 2025, at least 85 Palestinians were reported dead while attempting to reach food aid at various locations across Gaza. According to the territory's Health Ministry, this marks one of the deadliest days for aid-seekers since the conflict escalated. The most severe incident occurred near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza, where 81 Palestinians were killed while trying to access World Food Programme (WFP) trucks. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that its field hospital in Gaza City received 95 injured individuals in connection with these incidents.
Growing Number of Casualties Among Aid-Seekers
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that, as of July 16, 2025, the total number of casualties among people trying to access food supplies had reached 851 fatalities and over 5,634 injuries since May 27, 2025. On Wednesday, July 16, twenty Palestinians were killed at a food distribution center run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), primarily due to being trampled. Witnesses and health officials allege that hundreds have been killed by Israeli forces on roads leading to these aid sites since May, while the GHF accused Hamas of fomenting unrest, contributing to the stampede.
Pope's Condemnation and Calls for Peace
Speaking after the Angelus prayer at Castel Gandolfo on Sunday, July 20, 2025, Pope Leo XIV urged an "immediate end to the barbarity of the war" and called for a "peaceful resolution of the conflict." This statement was issued days after an Israeli strike damaged the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City. The Pope expressed "deep sorrow" for the attack, named the three victims killed at the church, and emphasized that it was "just one of the continuous military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza."
Pope Addresses Israeli Prime Minister
On Friday, July 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for over an hour, expressing his regret regarding the church incident and offering condolences to the families of the victims. He reaffirmed the importance of protecting sacred places of all religions and respecting people and holy sites, urging an end to violence and hatred.
Attack on Holy Family Catholic Church
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, following the attack on the Holy Family Church, Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram expressing his sorrow and calling for an immediate ceasefire, dialogue, and enduring peace.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens with New Evacuation Orders
On July 20, 2025, Israel issued new evacuation orders, cutting access between central Deir al-Balah and Rafah and Khan Younis, while reiterating orders for northern Gaza. These actions have intensified displacement pressure on residents with limited safe options.
UN Warns of Preventable Deaths
On July 18, 2025, OCHA warned that the ongoing conflict and mass deprivation in Gaza are becoming normalized, leading to "preventable deaths, displacement and desperation." The fuel crisis is deepening, severely impacting essential services such as solid waste collection, water supply, and healthcare.
Surge in Child Malnutrition
UNICEF reported on July 16, 2025, that child malnutrition in Gaza has surged by 180% since February, with nearly 6,000 cases reported in June. The organization also stated that more than 17,000 children have reportedly been killed and 33,000 wounded in the conflict.
Attacks on Aid Convoys
The World Food Programme (WFP) reported on July 20, 2025, that its convoy came under fire after being released from checkpoints to enter Gaza, emphasizing that violence against civilians seeking aid is "completely unacceptable." Between July 9 and 15, 2025, OCHA reported that nearly 17% of 66 planned aid movements across Gaza were denied by Israeli authorities, and 33% faced impediments. An UNRWA truck was found severely damaged in Gaza City on July 15, reportedly due to Israeli forces' military operations, and an UNRWA school in Bani Suhaila was reportedly directly struck by an Israeli airstrike on July 9, causing major damage.
Controversy Surrounding Aid-Seeker Deaths
The high number of deaths among Palestinians seeking aid has sparked controversy, with conflicting accounts emerging. Palestinian officials blame Israeli fire, while the Israeli military accuses Hamas of creating chaos or firing warning shots at perceived threats. This raises serious questions about the safety of aid distribution and accountability for the casualties.
