Airstrike on Catholic church in Gaza carried out by Israel
In the troubled region of Gaza, tensions escalated once again on July 17, 2025, as the Holy Family Catholic Parish came under attack. The parish, Gaza City's only Catholic church, was struck by Israeli tank fire around 10:30 AM, causing a tragic chain of events.
The attack resulted in three fatalities and nine injuries, including two in critical and two in serious condition. Among the deceased were Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, the parish's maintenance manager, an 84-year-old woman receiving psychosocial support, and a 70-year-old woman also receiving care. The parish priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, sustained leg injuries and was hospitalized, though his condition was not reported as critical.
Fr. Romanelli, who has been in regular contact with Pope Leo XIV, expressed deep sorrow and offered prayers for the affected community. The Pope, in turn, issued a telegram expressing his sympathies and renewing his call for an immediate ceasefire and peace in the region.
The Israeli government expressed regret over the damage to the Church of the Holy Family and any civilian casualties caused by the attack. However, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, headed by Cardinal Pierrebattista Pizzaballa, expressed doubts about the incident being an accident, suspecting it could have been a form of retaliation following Christian leaders' condemnation of Israeli settler attacks elsewhere.
The church building had served as a shelter for over 500 people, including Christians of various denominations and Muslim children with disabilities and their families, highlighting the broader humanitarian impact of the attack. The Latin Patriarchate also reported that displaced people were housed in the church at the time of the incident.
Pope Leo XIV was informed about the incident at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. The attack also garnered international attention, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stating that attacks against the civilian population by Israel are unacceptable.
The Church of the Holy Family, located in the heart of Gaza City, sustained significant damage in the attack, as shown in a photo published by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. As of the fall of 2023, there were approximately 1,000 Christians still living in the Gaza Strip, out of a total population of over two million.
It is worth noting that Fr. Romanelli was in regular contact with the late Pope Francis, underscoring the close relationship between the Catholic Church and Gaza's Christian community. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the need for peace and protection of all civilians, regardless of their faith.
The European Union and the European Parliament, in light of the tragic events at the Church of the Holy Family, have called for an immediate investigation into the incident, urging for accountability and justice.
The Council and the Commission of the European Union have condemned the attack on the Catholic Parish, emphasizing the importance of upholding international humanitarian law and ensuring the safety and protection of all civilians in the Gaza region.
