Israel bombs Gaza’s only Catholic church

Jerusalem. – At least four people have died and 7 have been injured following the Israeli bombing of the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, as confirmed to EFE by Zaher al Waheidi, director of the Health Unit in charge of counting Gazan deaths. Among the injured is their parish priest, the Argentinian Gabriel Romanelli, as reported by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in a statement.

The Romanelli parish had become popular in Italy due to the daily calls from his compatriot, Pope Francis, who, since the beginning of the Israeli offensive, called him to ask about the situation in Gaza and about the hundreds of displaced people who were taking refuge in that church. 

The agency has specified that there are about 500 Christians displaced by the conflict that the parish is sheltering.

Israel mourns damage and victims in the attack

Hours after the attack, the Israeli Army said in a statement that it “regrets the damage caused” to the Church and the victims.

“The Army is aware of reports of damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and the victims at the scene. The circumstances of the incident are being analyzed,” reads its military statement.

As is usual after this type of operation, the Army insists in the report that it does “everything possible to mitigate damage to the civilian population and civilian structures, including religious sites.” From Rome, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, at least four people have died and 7 have been injured after the Israeli bombing of the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip. Meloni described the attack as “unacceptable” this Thursday: “The Israeli incursions in Gaza also affect the Holy Family Church. The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been demonstrating for months are unacceptable,” she said. “No military action can justify such an attitude,” added the head of the Italian government in a brief statement, normally very cautious in speaking out against Israel since the beginning of the war in Gaza. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also strongly criticized “the attacks by the Israeli army against the civilian population of Gaza” which “are no longer admissible.” “The attack this morning has also affected the Holy Family Church in Gaza, a serious act against a place of Christian worship. My deepest condolences to Father Romanelli, injured in the attack. It’s time to stop and find peace,” Tajani wrote on X. For his part, Pope Leo XIV reiterated his call for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and dialogue between the parties, after expressing his “deep sadness” over the bombing.