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A deadly Israeli strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, the enclave’s only Catholic church, killed three people and injured several others, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, early Thursday morning. The incident, described by Israeli officials as a mistake, has drawn strong condemnation from religious leaders and renewed calls for a ceasefire amid the ongoing war.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem identified the deceased as Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, and Najwa Abu Dawood. Father Romanelli, an Argentine priest who has served in Gaza for nearly three decades, suffered light injuries and was treated at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. At least four others were seriously wounded.
The Israeli Defense Forces acknowledged responsibility, stating that "fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed “deep regret,” saying “every innocent life lost is a tragedy.” An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The Holy Family Church has become a sanctuary for roughly 500 displaced Christians in Gaza since the war began nearly 20 months ago. According to the Latin Patriarchate, this is not the first time the church has come under fire, two Christian women sheltering inside were killed in a separate Israeli strike in December 2023.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said the church was struck “directly” by an Israeli tank. “We are not sure if it was truly a mistake,” he told Vatican News. “There are many wounded, including Father Romanelli. Some are in critical condition.”
Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III made a rare visit to Gaza on Thursday to offer support to the Christian community. "We will never leave them alone," the cardinal said.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo received a phone call from Prime Minister Netanyahu following the strike. During the conversation, the pope emphasized the importance of protecting places of worship and reiterated his appeal for a ceasefire. “The heartbreaking price of this war is being paid by children, the elderly, and the sick,” a Vatican statement said.
In a strongly worded statement, the Latin Patriarchate condemned the attack as part of the broader suffering inflicted on civilians in Gaza. “This tragedy is not greater than the many others that have befallen Gaza. Death, suffering and destruction are everywhere,” the statement read.
The church’s leadership appealed to global leaders to intervene, calling the attack “humanly and morally unjustified.” They also expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown and reaffirmed their commitment to stand by the Christian community in Gaza.
With ceasefire negotiations ongoing, sources suggest Israel may show flexibility on troop withdrawal from the Morag Corridor, a strategic strip dividing southern Gaza. More than 58,000 Palestinians have been reported killed since the start of the conflict, according to Palestinian health officials.
With information from CNN and Vatican News.
