Egypt Daily News – An Israeli military strike on Thursday morning hit the Holy Family Catholic Church compound in northern Gaza, killing three civilians and injuring several others, including the parish priest, according to a statement issued by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The attack drew swift condemnation from the Vatican and renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire.
The church, Gaza’s only Roman Catholic parish, has served as a refuge for Christian families since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023. Thursday’s strike reportedly caused significant damage to the church compound and left the local Christian community in shock.
The Latin Patriarchate identified the deceased as Najwa Abu Dawoud, Fumiya Issa Latif Ayad, and Saad Issa Qustandi Salameh. “We pray for their souls and for an end to this barbaric war. Nothing can justify the targeting of innocent civilians,” the Patriarchate said in its statement.
According to eyewitnesses and church officials, the strike appeared to be launched from an Israeli tank positioned near the area. The parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical care.
Vatican Reaction and Papal Message
Pope Leo, who succeeded the late Pope Francis, expressed deep sorrow upon learning of the strike and issued a message of solidarity through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. “His Holiness is profoundly saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries caused by the military attack,” the message read, extending spiritual closeness to Father Romanelli and the parishioners.
The Pope reiterated his call for “an immediate ceasefire” and voiced his hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace in the region.
Latin Patriarchate: Tank Shelling Caused the Blast
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, told Vatican News that the church was “directly targeted,” based on information from the ground. “What we know for sure is that a tank — reportedly Israeli, perhaps unintentionally — fired at the compound,” he said, though he noted that full details were still under investigation.
The Patriarchate also condemned the attack, stating that large portions of the church complex had been destroyed. The compound had become a sanctuary not only for Gaza’s Catholic community but also for many Eastern Orthodox Christians, especially after their own churches came under threat in recent weeks.
Israel Expresses Regret, Launches Investigation
The Israeli government responded by expressing “deep regret” over any harm caused to civilians or damage to religious sites. In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “Israel does not target churches or religious institutions and regrets any damage caused to non-involved civilians or religious property.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the strike. The military has faced growing criticism over the increasing number of civilian casualties and damage to protected sites, including hospitals, schools, and places of worship.
A Sanctuary Under Siege
Since the war erupted last October, the Holy Family Church has served as a refuge for dozens of Christian families in Gaza, many of whom had nowhere else to turn. The late Pope Francis had maintained frequent contact with the church during the last 18 months of his life, often checking on the welfare of the congregation and urging an end to the violence.
Thursday’s incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on a Christian site in Gaza since the beginning of the war and underscores the vulnerability of Gaza’s dwindling Christian population. The Christian community in Gaza, estimated at fewer than 1,000 people, has found itself caught in the crossfire of a war that has devastated the enclave’s infrastructure and displaced over a million residents.
International organizations and human rights groups have called for greater protection of civilians and religious institutions, citing mounting evidence of indiscriminate strikes and the dire humanitarian situation across the Gaza Strip.
