Church in Gaza under Israeli assault, say reports
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City was unfortunately targeted during Israeli operations against Hamas on July 17, 2025. The church, Gaza's only Catholic church, sustained significant damage and resulted in casualties.
### Casualties and Injuries
Initial reports indicated two people killed and several injured, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who was wounded by shrapnel in his leg. However, later reports confirmed that three people had died: Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, and Najwa Abu Daoud, who succumbed to their injuries.
Several other civilians sustained moderate to severe injuries, with 14 people reported injured in total. The church compound, which was sheltering both Christians and Muslims, including children with disabilities, suffered significant damage.
### International Reaction and Condemnation
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem strongly condemned the attack, calling it a "flagrant violation of human dignity" and a "blatant violation of the sanctity of life and the sanctity of religious sites." Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, echoed the call for dialogue and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel expressed "deep sorrow" for the incident but attributed it to a "stray ammunition hit." Two women initially thought to be dead due to showing no signs of life were revived and are now in critical condition.
International condemnation followed, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressing that the attacks against the civilian population in Gaza are unacceptable. The Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City is currently housing displaced people.
### Investigations and Assurances
The Israeli military is investigating the circumstances of the church incident. Israel never targets churches or religious sites, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Israeli military is making efforts to spare civilians and limit damage to civilian buildings, including religious institutions.
The Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem published a photo showing damage to the roof of the church. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported additional, sometimes fatal, Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since the morning, although these reports could not be independently verified at first.
Approximately 1,000 Christians reside in the Gaza Strip, constituting a small fraction of the total population of over two million. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where religious sites are increasingly at risk. Israel deeply regrets any damage caused to the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City.
- The incident involving the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City, a central figure in the general news and war-and-conflicts arena, has drawn attention in the realm of crime-and-justice as well, with an investigation underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the Israeli operations against Hamas.
- The ongoing tension in Gaza has sparked a series of responses in the political sphere, with leaders such as Archbishop Timothy Broglio and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemning the attacks against civilian populations, including the church, and calling for immediate ceasefires.
- Beyond the specific details of the attacked church, the broader context of sports remains relevant here, as the ongoing conflict in Gaza once again serves as a reminder of the impact of war-and-conflicts on the everyday lives of people, including children with disabilities seeking shelter in religious sites like the Church of the Holy Family.
