On Thursday morning, an Israeli shell struck the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, killing three people and injuring several others. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the attack and condemned the shelling, stating that the victims were among Gaza’s small Christian population, many of whom had taken refuge inside the church compound since the war began.
The Holy Family Church, located in the heart of Gaza, has long served as a sanctuary for Christians during times of crisis. The community, already under immense strain from the ongoing military operations, is now reeling from this direct strike. The church’s priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, was among the injured and has been receiving medical care. Father Romanelli is known for his close communication with the Vatican, having reportedly spoken to Pope Francis regularly during the war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement expressing regret over the incident. “Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy,” the statement read. It also announced that an internal investigation is underway to determine how the shell came to strike the historic religious site.
Trump and World Leaders React to the Church Attack
Former US President Donald Trump personally called Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday to express his displeasure over the attack on the Catholic church. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described Trump’s reaction as “not positive,” noting that Netanyahu had admitted the strike was a mistake during the call.
“It was not a positive reaction,” Leavitt said 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.” The White House emphasized that Trump urged Israel to exercise greater caution, especially around civilian and religious sites.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, known for her support of the Israeli government, also issued rare criticism. She condemned the “attacks against the civilian population” and called them “unacceptable,” marking a notable shift in tone among some of Israel’s Western allies.
Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life at the Catholic church and renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire. The Pope urged all sides to show restraint and protect places of worship and civilians. The Vatican has maintained close contact with clergy inside Gaza throughout the war, especially those at the Holy Family Church.
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Vatican Questions Intent Behind Strike on Church
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, voiced skepticism about the Israeli government’s claim that the strike was accidental. “What we know for sure is that a tank — the IDF says by mistake, but we are not sure — hit the church directly,” he told Vatican media.
He added that this incident underscores the urgency of protecting sacred spaces during armed conflict. The cardinal’s remarks reflect growing frustration among religious leaders over repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure and religious sites.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports that nearly 60,000 Palestinians have died since Israel launched its military offensive in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack. The death toll continues to rise, and strikes on civilian areas have drawn increasing scrutiny from international human rights groups.
The latest incident at the Catholic church is likely to deepen calls for accountability and a ceasefire. While Israel has promised an investigation, religious leaders and political figures across the globe are demanding more than statements—they want assurance that such tragedies will not be repeated.
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