Cardinal Pizzaballa: Gaza is a 'disaster,' cities 'razed to the ground'

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa has painted a grim picture of Gaza following a recent visit, describing the territory as a "disaster." Speaking about his experience, the cardinal stated that the cities have been "razed to the ground, leveled, erased," emphasizing that Rafah "does not exist anymore."

During his visit, Pizzaballa observed the harsh realities of life in Gaza, noting people living in makeshift tents amidst open sewers. He conveyed that the sensory experience, particularly the pervasive smell, is something images fail to capture. A deeply concerning issue he witnessed was the widespread presence of rats, which are reportedly biting residents, especially children.

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Gaza is a disaster. The cities are razed to the ground, leveled, erased. Rafah does not exist anymore.

"What strikes me most is the fact of traveling on makeshift roads, amidst tents, sewers. This is where the people of Gaza live," Pizzaballa said, as reported by Vatican media. He added, "One aspect that images do not convey are the smells. And one of the most present plagues at this moment are the rats, which bite. They bite children above all, and Gaza is full of children."

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What strikes me most is the fact of traveling on makeshift roads, amidst tents, sewers. This is where the people of Gaza live. One aspect that images do not convey are the smells. And one of the most present plagues at this moment are the rats, which bite. They bite children above all, and Gaza is full of children.