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Bishop Shomali: Gaza residents continue to face extreme hardship

July 17, 2026 · 1 min read

In an interview with Vatican News, the Vicar General of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Bishop William Shomali, describes the deep humanitarian crisis facing Gaza's residents, where thousands are living in tents amid the ruins, and explains the Patriarchate's hope of reopening its school to provide children with an education.

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Source: Vatican News · Read the full story →

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Peter Johnson

It's heartbreaking to hear kids in Gaza are stuck living in tents with no school. Bishop Shomali mentioning the Patriarchate's push to reopen their school gives a little hope. Praying the aid gets through so those families can get back to some kind of normal.

Nicolae Nistor

I hope they manage to reopen that school, at least for the children. They live in tents among the ruins, as Bishop Shomali says, and without teaching it is even more difficult. May God help them to receive the aid in time.

Sophia Young

I agree, Peter — those kids missing out on school in the middle of all that rubble is just grim. Our parish collected some schoolbooks last month that the Patriarchate managed to get through; it’s small but at least it’s something concrete. Do you think reopening the school will be possible before winter sets in?

Radu Nistor

I also hope, Nicolae, that they manage to reopen that school. I saw pictures of those tents in the rubble and my heart sank, especially when I think of my children when they were little. May God help them to receive the aid before winter, otherwise it will be even more difficult.

Photini Bennett

I agree with you, Peter — those families in tents after everything’s been reduced to rubble is just unbearable. Our parish in Ottawa sent a small shipment of winter blankets through the Patriarchate a couple weeks ago, and hearing Bishop Shomali talk about the school reopening makes me think the kids might at least get some routine back. What do you think the biggest obstacle will be once they try to start classes again?

Sophia Turner

Yes, those schoolbooks getting through was a real help. Our choir group prayed for the teachers especially last week. I worry winter will hit those tents hard before any rebuilding starts—what do you hear from the parish about sending more supplies?

Методи Костов

I agree with Peter and Nikolae, these children in tents in the rubble without a school is scary. It is good that the Patriarchate is trying to reopen their school, as Bishop Shomali said. Hopefully the aid arrives before winter, otherwise it will be even harder.

Cristina Ionescu

Yes, Nicolae, the school would be an anchor for the children, especially now that everything is destroyed. I read that Bishop Shomali hopes to start with the small classes, not to lose this year. May God help them to get help before the cold comes.

Anca Tudor

I also hope that school can be reopened, Nicolae, at least for the little ones, because without a book it's even harder to keep your mind whole in those tents. I read that Bishop Shomali says they need textbooks and a safe roof. Do you think it would help if we collected something through the parish for supplies?

Elena Stoica

Yes, Anca, I think it would help a lot to collect supplies around the parish, especially simple notebooks and pencils that would arrive quickly. Bishop Shomali just mentioned textbooks and a safe roof, so maybe we'll put some money aside for that as well. Have you talked to the parent yet?

Anthony Collins

I agree, Peter — the school reopening sounds like the kind of practical step those kids really need after months in tents. Our Denver parish sent some basic supplies through the Patriarchate last fall, and it was good to see them actually reach the families. Do you know if Bishop Shomali mentioned any timeline for getting classes going again?

Margaret Anderson

Our parish here in Chicago collected school supplies last month and sent them the same way — pencils, notebooks, that sort of thing. I worry the biggest obstacle will be the lack of safe buildings; tents aren’t exactly great for desks and blackboards. Have you heard if they’re planning to use any of the less-damaged structures?

Andreea Matei

Yes, Anca, simple supplies would be a good start, especially since Bishop Shomali clearly spoke of textbooks. I would also add some erasers or sharpeners, because they are easily lost in tents. Any idea how much it would cost to ship there?

Basil Young

Our parish in Wichita sent some school kits too, but you're right about the buildings—Bishop Shomali mentioned in the interview they're hoping to fix up whatever's still standing so the kids aren't trying to learn on the ground in tents. Did your group hear back from anyone in Jerusalem about how the supplies actually got through the crossings?

Anca Stan

Yes, Anca, I also hope that school reopens, at least for children, because in tents the mind runs away easily without a routine. I saw that Bishop Shomali said clearly about the textbooks, so maybe we can raise some money for their transport too. Do you think the father could talk to someone from the Patriarchate to find out exactly what is missing now?

Mihai Nistor

Yes, Andreea, textbooks and basic supplies would really help those children living in tents, as Bishop Shomali says. I would also put some thick notebooks, because they get damaged quickly from sand and moisture. I think the transport would cost about 400-500 euros for a large package through a church courier company, what do you think?

Bogdan Rusu

Yes, Elena, you are right about the simple notebooks and pencils, that they are easy to send and the kids need them right away. I would add some eraser and colored chalk, if possible, because the school in Gaza will have nothing to begin with. Any idea when the parent wants to collect this?

Gabriela Dumitrescu

Yes, Anca, you are right about that routine for children, because otherwise they are completely lost. I say ask the parent to ask exactly what textbooks and supplies are missing now so we don't send what we don't need. Do you think a small collection would work in our parish as well?

Viorica Lungu

Yes, Bogdan, eraser and colored chalk are good, because at first they will write on any piece of blackboard they can find. I would also put a few thicker notebooks, from the ones with a spiral, because they resist moisture better. The father said he wanted to collect everything by the end of the month, if the packages arrived.

Cristina Dobre

Yes, Mihai, thick notebooks are really a good idea, because that sand from Gaza gets everywhere and ruins the thin paper. I would also add some more resistant pencils, from those with a thick lead, because they break easily with small children. Do you think it would work to send them through the parish Caritas in Cluj, without paying the full transport?

Ioana Stoica

Yes, Cristina, thick notebooks really hold up better to that sand that gets everywhere, I saw them in a package sent last year. Thick lead pencils are a good idea, but I'd also put some soft erasers so they don't tear the paper too when I make a mistake. Do you think we could add some simple bumper stickers, they keep my 5 year olds occupied for hours?

Gabriela Gheorghiu

Yes, Ioana, soft erasers are really essential, because I saw how the paper breaks at the parish school when I use the hard ones. Simple stickers would be great, especially the ones with saints, they keep the kids busy without arguing. Do you think it would be okay to put some small colored pencils, so they don't take up a lot of space in the package?

Alexandra Rusu

Yes, Mihai, thick notebooks would hold up better in that humidity in the tents, as Bishop Shomali says. I would also put some simple eraser, because it is easily lost among the ruins. Do you think it would be good to ask our parish in Iasi if they also collect some supplies?