Catholic establishment in Gaza suffers attack, leaving two deceased
In a shocking turn of events, the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City was hit during an attack on July 17, 2025, resulting in three confirmed civilian deaths and at least 14 injuries, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. The church compound, which serves as a sanctuary for hundreds of displaced Christians and Muslims—including children with disabilities—suffered significant structural damage, with photos showing the roof partially blown away and extensive shrapnel and debris in the courtyard.
The Israeli military has acknowledged the damage and stated it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Israel's Foreign Ministry has issued a rare apology, expressing "deep sorrow over the damage... and over any civilian casualty". However, the Catholic Church and humanitarian organisations have strongly condemned the attack, with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem calling it a "targeting of innocent civilians and of a sacred place".
The Israeli army maintains that it targets Hamas and other terrorist organisations in the Gaza Strip. However, the proximity of the explosion to the cross on the roof and the severity of the impact raise serious questions about the circumstances and decision-making leading to the attack. The Catholic hierarchy, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Pope Leo XIV, have expressed concern and referred to the incident as a "military attack".
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the Israeli military likely to focus on the chain of command, targeting protocols, and whether there were violations of international humanitarian law. The situation remains under close scrutiny, with international attention on the outcome and implications for civilian protection in conflict zones.
It is important to note that approximately 1,000 Christians live in the Gaza Strip, out of a total population of over two million. The Church of the Holy Family is the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it never targets churches or religious sites, and the army is making "every possible effort" to avoid civilian casualties and limit damage to civilian buildings, including religious institutions.
The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has also expressed her concern, stating that attacks against the civilian population in Gaza, as demonstrated by Israel, are unacceptable. Medical sources in the Gaza Strip have reported at least 32 people killed in Israeli attacks across the coastal strip since the morning, a report that could not be independently verified at the time of publication.
The Catholic Church, along with humanitarian organizations, has strongly condemned the attack on the Church of the Holy Family, expressing concern about the potential violation of international humanitarian law. The incident, which resulted in civilian casualties, has fueled ongoing discussions about Israel's targeting of civilian areas during political conflicts. Meanwhile, concerns about the safety of the local Christian community in Gaza, numbering approximately 1,000, persist, as this is the only Catholic church in the region.
