Church bombed in Gaza, claiming 2 lives and injuring several others, a Catholic institution being the target in an Israeli attack.
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, mediators are working tirelessly to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages, though significant obstacles remain. The recent shelling of Gaza's only Catholic church, the Holy Family Catholic Church, has amplified calls for peace but has not yet shifted the trajectory of negotiations.
Pope Leo XIV renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in response to the attack, which occurred on Wednesday, July 17. The incident resulted in two deaths and several injuries, including the parish priest, who is a close friend of Pope Francis. The attack drew international condemnation, with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni blaming Israel for the strike on the church.
While the attack has intensified international pressure for a resolution, both Israel and Hamas have indicated that little tangible progress has been made in the negotiations following the incident. The key unresolved issue remains whether and when the war would end, with Israel signaling it would intensify military operations if a deal is not reached soon.
Mediators are hopeful that a final agreement could be reached next week, especially after Israel reportedly reduced demands regarding the scope of its withdrawal from Gaza during a proposed 60-day truce. However, several more days of talks are needed to finalize the details, particularly around a hostage-prisoner swap. Sources suggest that a major breakthrough is more likely toward the end of July, as political pressures within Israel's government may ease when the Knesset enters recess.
Approximately 600 people, including many children and 54 people with disabilities, are sheltering at the Holy Family Church. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has stated that the building suffered significant damage. The Israeli military is currently investigating the damage caused at the church.
The Israeli military has framed its recent territorial gains as leverage to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, but warned that operations could intensify if no deal is forthcoming. Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll continues to rise, with over 58,000 Palestinians reported killed in the conflict so far, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
The majority of Palestinian Christians are Greek Orthodox, but there are also Roman Catholics and other Christians in the region. Only 1,000 Christians live in Gaza, an overwhelmingly Muslim territory. Pope Francis speaks with the priest at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza almost daily to inquire about the people sheltering at the church.
While there is increased optimism among mediators and some Israeli officials about the possibility of a ceasefire and hostage deal, core disagreements—especially over ending the war—remain unresolved. The coming days will be critical in determining whether a temporary truce can be achieved, with the potential for further military escalation if talks fail.
- The international community, including Pope Leo XIV and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, have intensified calls for a ceasefire in Seattle, following the attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza.
- The Seattle government, along with mediators, is closely following the political negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with a focus on war-and-conflicts, as well as crime-and-justice issues, such as the hostage situation.
- As the political discussions proceed, general news outlets in Seattle are reporting on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the significant number of casualties and the sheltering of approximately 600 people, including children and people with disabilities, at the Holy Family Church.
