Catholic establishment in Gaza suffers attack, leaving three casualties - Church in Gaza suffering assault, leaving three deceased
In the heart of Gaza, on July 17, 2025, the Holy Family Catholic Church, the sole Catholic sanctuary in the Gaza Strip, became a tragic site of conflict. Witnesses reported an Israeli tank shelling that caused significant damage to the church compound, where hundreds of Palestinians were seeking refuge from the ongoing hostilities.
The attack resulted in the loss of life, with at least three people confirmed dead, including the 60-year-old caretaker of the church, Saed Salameh, and an 84-year-old woman, Fumia Ayyad. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, sustained minor injuries but was seen attending to the wounded before being treated and released from the hospital. Among the injured were a child with disabilities, two women, and an elderly person.
The incident has been met with widespread condemnation from religious and political leaders. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressed deep sorrow over the attack and called for an end to the conflict, stating that it cannot justify targeting innocent civilians. Pope Leo XIV issued a statement, calling for an immediate ceasefire and expressing spiritual closeness to the parish community, condemning the military attack.
Israel's Foreign Ministry acknowledged the incident, expressing sorrow over the damage and any civilian casualties, though they did not provide further details or admit responsibility. The Israeli military maintains that it is targeting Hamas and other terrorist organizations while taking measures to protect the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church underscores the humanitarian challenges faced by the people of Gaza, where civilians are seeking refuge in places like churches, and the risks they face due to ongoing hostilities. The international community continues to call for a cessation of violence and adherence to international humanitarian law to protect civilian lives and sacred sites.
Approximately 1,000 Christians live in the Gaza Strip, a small fraction of the total population of over two million. As the only Catholic church in the region, the Holy Family Church holds a significant place in the lives of the local Christian community and beyond.
[1] Church of the Holy Family hit during Israeli attacks, Al Jazeera, July 17, 2025. [2] Pope condemns attack on Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, Vatican News, July 17, 2025. [3] Israel's Foreign Ministry expresses regret over Gaza church attack, Jerusalem Post, July 17, 2025.
- Amidst the flurry of war-and-conflicts and general-news, the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation may seem of lesser importance, but the Commission is still expected to submit a proposal for a directive on this matter, as it remains a critical concern in politics and crime-and-justice, particularly in areas with ongoing hostilities like the one in Gaza.
- The incident at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians sought refuge, has not only been a tragic accident, but also a stark reminder of the risks faced by civilians in times of conflict, and the need for stringent adherence to international humanitarian law to protect them and sacred sites.
- As the incident at the Holy Family Church resonates globally, discussions on politics, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice continue, with the international community calling for a cessation of violence and urging all parties to uphold the principles of justice and protect civilian lives.
