![Catholic institution in the Gaza Strip, had served as a shelter for hundreds of displaced Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has been struck by an Israeli shell [Image by Church Times]](https://www.thepostnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/holcrosshit2-20250717161533647_edited.jpg)
Catholic institution in the Gaza Strip, had served as a shelter for hundreds of displaced Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has been struck by an Israeli shell [Image by Church Times]
(The Post News)- An Israeli shell targeted the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City Thursday, killing three civilians and injuring ten others, including the parish priest, in an “errant attack,” Israeli officials claim. The church, the only Catholic institution in the Gaza Strip, had been a haven for hundreds of Palestinians who were displaced by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that initial estimates are that the church was “erroneously hit by shrapnel during operational activity” and that an internal investigation is underway.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement acknowledging the incident as a tragic error. “Israel regrets that a stray fire hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church. The death of every innocent civilian is a tragedy,” said Netanyahu. “We remain committed to protecting civilians and houses of worship.”
Pope Leo XIV condemned the church strike and renewed his call for an instant Gaza ceasefire. The pope stated in a Vatican declaration that he was profoundly saddened by the attack, referring to it as an offense to human dignity and the inviolability of religious sanctuaries.
“This war must stop entirely so that the lengthy process of reconstructing human dignity can occur,” declared the Vatican’s telegram of condolence.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, to which the parish is subject, confirmed that the dead included the janitor of the church and an 84-year-old woman who was being cared for by Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem. The wounded included Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest, who was treated in Al-Ahli Hospital for injuries to his legs.
The compound was sheltering Christians and Muslims, including disabled children,” Dr. Fadel Naem, head of Al-Ahli Hospital, said in a makeshift role as a spokesman. “This happened in what should have been a sanctuary.”
Resident Shady Abu Dawood informed reporters his mother was injured by shrapnel: “We were in the church with elderly people, children, and innocent civilians. It was a barbaric and unjustified attack.”.
United States President Donald Trump reportedly called Netanyahu to express his displeasure over the incident. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump had no “positive response” and called for accountability.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack as “unacceptable,” saying, “No military operation can justify an attack on civilian and religious targets.”
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem also criticized the strike, stating that to target a church “is a flagrant violation of human dignity and a serious infringement of international humanitarian law.”.
The Holy Family Church was hit as Israeli air strikes kept battering the Gaza Strip. One person was killed and 17 wounded on Thursday when Israeli shells hit two schools sheltering displaced civilians in the Al-Bureij refugee camp, according to Al-Awda Hospital.
Gaza’s Health Ministry tallied 94 deaths and 367 injuries from Israeli onslaughts in the past 24 hours alone. Since Israel launched its military operation following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, over 58,600 Palestinians have died, with women and children accounting for more than half of the casualties.
Months of indirect truce talks between Israel and Hamas have yet to produce an agreement on a new ceasefire. Israeli authorities have been “flexible” on security corridor issues like the Morag Corridor but differences remain on the freeing of Palestinian prisoners and the end of the fighting.
“There are signs of optimism,” said an Israeli official, “but a deal is not imminent.”
As there are only around 1,000 Christians left in Gaza, predominantly Greek Orthodox, Thursday’s attack on the church further highlights the danger for minority groups. The late Pope Francis, who passed away in April, had been in regular contact with Father Romanelli to offer support. In his last message, Francis called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of Israeli hostages.
The Holy Land’s Christian population has dwindled in recent decades, driven by conflict, economic hardship, and violence at the hands of extremists. Settler attacks and the shrinking space for Christian worship and safety have been condemned by religious leaders.
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