Israeli strike on Gaza\’s sole Catholic church kills three
Israeli Attack on Gaza’s Holy Family Church Leaves Three Dead
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed that an Israeli artillery shell hit the Holy Family Church in Gaza City on Thursday, killing three civilians and wounding ten, including the church’s parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.
Damage to the Church and Immediate Medical Response
- The strike struck the church’s compound at approximately 10:20 a.m. (0720 GMT).
- FFA footage showed the injured, including Romanelli, receiving treatment at Al‑Ahli Hospital (Baptist Hospital).
- One victim was supplied with oxygen and blood under a foil blanket.
Witness Accounts and Statements from the Latin Patriarchate
Shadi Abu Daoud, a displaced resident whose 70‑year‑old mother was among the dead, reported that a tank shell “targeted us” and hit the church, causing a number of civilians to be killed and wounded.
The Patriarchate named the victims as Najwa Abu Daoud, Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh and Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad. It also reiterated that the hospital treatment of Romanelli was documented in an AFP photograph showing him with a bandage around his lower leg.
Reactions from Vatican and International Leaders
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, told Vatican News that the IDF “claimed it was a mistake, but we are not sure.” He described the shell as a direct hit on the church.
Monk‑Adviser Pascal Gollnisch of l’Œuvre d’Orient condemned the raid as “totally unacceptable,” noting that the church was a place of worship, known for its peace‑building work, and that no jihadists were present.
Context of the Ongoing Conflict
In the broader context of the war, the Gaza civilian defence agency reported additional Israeli strikes across the territory that killed at least 22 people on the same day. Israel, however, stated that it “never targets churches or religious sites” and expressed “deep sorrow” over civilian casualties.
Out of Gaza’s population of over two million, roughly 1,000 are Christians, mainly Orthodox, with a Catholic community of about 135 members according to the Latin Patriarchate.
These events come as Pope Francis repeatedly urged an end to the conflict, describing the humanitarian situation as “deplorable” in his final Easter message before his death.
