Gaza’s only Catholic Church hit by Israeli forces, 3 killed, priest among the injured
Caroline MolloyAn Israeli tank struck Gaza’s only Catholic parish, Holy Family Church, July 17, killing three and injuring several others, including the parish priest. The strike triggered strong reactions from several world leaders, including President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the strike was accidental but emphasized the church was hit directly Thursday morning.
“What we know for sure is that a tank, the IDF says by mistake, but we are not sure about this, they hit the Church directly,” Cardinal Pizzaballa told Vatican News shortly after the attack.
Parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli was among the wounded and received treatment for a superficial injury. Several others suffered serious injuries, including three people – a man and two women – who died from their wounds.
Trump decried the strike in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt described the president’s reaction as “not positive” during a press briefing.
Trump “called Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning to address the strikes on that church in Gaza, and I understand the prime minister agreed to put out a statement,” Leavitt said. She added that Netanyahu told Trump the attack “was a mistake by the Israelis.”
In Netanyahu’s public statement, he said the hit was the result of “stray ammunition.”
“Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church,” Netanyahu stated. “Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful.”
“Israel is investigating the incident,” he added, “and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites.”
Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims and called for an immediate ceasefire in a telegram signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
