Macron talks with Jerusalem patriarch and expresses 'great concern' about Gaza Catholic parish

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa (C) sprinkles holy water on revellers as he arrives for Christmas Eve celebrations (according to Western tradition) outside the Church of the Nativity in the biblical city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on December 24, 2023. AFP - HAZEM BADER

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed "great concern" about a Catholic parish in war-torn Gaza with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, his office said on Sunday

Macron spoke with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa by telephone on Saturday to discuss the "tragic situation" there since the outbreak of war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants on October 7.

"Hundreds of civilians of all confessions... have been living under bombs and bullets for more than two months while worshippers and nuns take care of the sick, elderly or disabled," Macron was quoted as saying in a press release by the Elysée palace.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on December 16 that an Israeli soldier shot dead "in cold blood" a Christian mother and daughter on the grounds of the Gaza Strip's only Catholic church.

Inexplicable attack on the Church compound of the Catholic Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza City with heartbreaking killings and destruction, according to a message from Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Continuing to pray for peace and healing.#LordHaveMercy pic.twitter.com/AXOZ8YDNPz

— Archbishop Angaelos (@BishopAngaelos) December 16, 2023

Macron offered his condolences for the parishioners who he said were killed "shamefully", a week after Pope Francis deplored their deaths.

The Israeli army told AFP that a review supported findings that no church was hit and that civilians were not injured or killed.

It said it "does not target civilians, no matter their religion".

As Christmas approaches, Macron asked Pizzaballa to "send a message of peace and solidarity to all Christians in the Holy Land and assure them France is by their side".

This aerial view shows revellers unfurling a giant Palestinian flag as they gather at the Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity in the biblical city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on Christmas Eve (according to Western tradition) on December 24, 2023. AFP - HAZEM BADER

The deadliest Gaza war was triggered by an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

Hamas militants crossed the militarised border between Gaza and Israel and killed about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

The gunmen also seized around 250 hostages, 129 of whom are believed to remain in Gaza, Israeli officials say.

Aiming to eliminate Hamas, Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 20,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's Hamas government.

(With newswires)