Israeli Strike on Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church Kills Two, Injures Priest

Date: July 17, 2025

In a tragic incident, an Israeli shell struck the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood on July 17, 2025, killing two people and injuring several others, including parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli. The attack has drawn international condemnation and renewed calls for peace in the region.

Details of the Gaza Church Strike

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed that the strike hit the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, around 10:20 a.m. local time. The victims included Saad Salameh, a 60-year-old janitor, and Fumayya Ayyad, an 84-year-old woman receiving psychosocial support in a Caritas tent within the church compound. Both were critically wounded and succumbed to their injuries at Al-Mamadani Hospital due to a severe shortage of medical resources. Father Romanelli sustained minor leg injuries, while nine others were wounded, one critically.

The church, a sanctuary for hundreds of displaced Palestinians, including Christians, Muslims, and children with disabilities, was sheltering over 500 people at the time of the attack. Witnesses noted that the strike occurred shortly after morning prayers, narrowly averting a higher casualty count.

Pope Leo XIV Calls for Ceasefire

Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow over the attack, issuing a telegram through the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. He stated, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza,” and renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire, urging dialogue and reconciliation for lasting peace. The late Pope Francis, who died in April 2025, had frequently called Father Romanelli to offer support during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

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Israel’s Response and Investigation

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the incident was under review, emphasizing that they do not target religious sites or civilians. The Israeli Foreign Ministry expressed “deep sorrow” over the damage and civilian casualties, asserting that “Israel never targets churches or religious sites.” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, reported that the strike came from an Israeli tank, though the IDF claimed it was accidental.

International Condemnation

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the strike, calling Israel’s actions against civilians “unacceptable” and stating, “No military action can justify such behavior.” The Latin Patriarchate strongly denounced the attack as a “blatant affront to human dignity” and a violation of the sanctity of religious sites, which are protected under international law.

Ongoing Conflict in Gaza

The strike comes amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 58,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, with women and children comprising more than half of the casualties. Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas remain stalled, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Calls for Protection of Civilians

The attack on the Holy Family Church, a designated safe haven, has intensified calls for the protection of civilians and religious sites. The Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem and other organizations urged the international community to ensure access to medical resources and humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Stay updated with NriGlobe for the latest developments on this story and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Keywords: Israeli strike Gaza, Holy Family Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV ceasefire, Father Gabriel Romanelli, Gaza City attack, IDF investigation, Palestine conflict, civilian casualties Gaza

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