An Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip hit the only Catholic church in the region on Thursday, killing three people.
The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said the Holy Family Church in central Gaza was attacked, with nine injured and three in critical condition.
According to the Vatican News Portal, the deceased was a 60-year-old janitor at the church and an elderly woman. There is no immediate information about the third victim. It is reported that the parish priest suffered minor injuries.
A statement released by the office of Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu was published on X, where Israel shares family and faithful grief.
“Israel deeply regrets that a wandering ammunition hit the Holy House Church in Gaza. Every innocent life is a tragedy,” the statement said.
“We thank Pope Leo for his comfortable speech. Israel is investigating this incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy places.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the situation of the incident is still unclear.
It posted on X: “Israel expresses deep sorrow for the destruction of the city of Gaza and any sacred family churches with civilian casualties.”
The ministry added: “Israel will never target churches or religious sites and regret any harm that has not been involved in civilians.”
The Israeli military acknowledged reports of damage to the church and casualties in the region and said the situation was “under review.”
The military stressed that this “is to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian buildings, including religious sites, and to regret any damage caused.”
The Palestinian WAFA news agency reported that about 600 displaced people were placed in the church.
The Latin chiefs of Jerusalem published a photo of a church showing the destruction of the roof.
Gaza Small Christian minority
About 1,000 Christians live in the Gaza Strip, with a total population of more than 2 million. There are three churches along the coast, and the Sagrada Familia is the only place of Catholic worship.
After the incident, Pope Leo XIV repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire and said he was “deeply saddened” by the death.
In the telegram of the Latin Sect Master, he called for “dialogue, reconciliation and lasting peace in the region.”
Meloni: “Unacceptable” attack
“Israel has proven that months of attacks on civilians are unacceptable,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
The Israeli military has been stressing that it has taken action against Palestinian militant groups Hamas and other armed groups and has taken measures to provide measures for civilians in the Gaza Strip.
At least 32 people died in other attacks, medical staff said
At least 32 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the morning, according to medical sources in the Gaza Strip.
This information cannot be verified independently at first.
After Palestinian mourners brought the bodies of their loved ones to the funeral of Arab Ahli (also known as Baptist Hospital) in the city, Israel had conducted an earlier strike on the Holy House Church. OMAR ASHTAWY/APA Images by Zuma Press Wire/DPA
