Israeli airstrike reportedly strikes Gaza church, resulting in the death of at least 3 individuals and the wounding of a priest within the church.
The Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, was struck on Thursday, July 17, 2025, during military operations. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the incident, expressing regret for any damage caused and stating that the circumstances are under review.
The attack occurred at approximately 10:20 a.m., resulting in three confirmed fatalities—Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, and one other—as well as multiple injuries, including to the Parish Priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. At the time, about 500 unarmed Christians were seeking shelter within the church compound for protection.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, confirmed the attack and expressed concern over the targeting of innocent civilians and a sacred place. Among the wounded, four were seriously hurt, with two in critical condition, and Father Gabriel Romanelli was among the less seriously injured. The church sustained physical damage as well.
The attack generated international concern, with religious and political leaders expressing shock and calling for protection of civilians and religious sites amid ongoing violence. Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are among those who have condemned the incident.
The IDF stated that they make every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites. Israel's Foreign Ministry expressed deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and any civilian casualties, promising to publish the results of the IDF's investigation transparently.
Father Gabriel Romanelli was brought to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, where the facility is currently sheltering both Christians and Muslims, including a number of children with disabilities. The Holy Family Church remains a key sanctuary for displaced people in Gaza, tragically affected by recent military actions that have resulted in loss of life and injury to its inhabitants.
The patriarchate called on leaders to raise their voices and take necessary actions to stop the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, emphasizing that the situation is not unique, as many other innocent civilians have also been harmed, displaced, and killed. Pope Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza one day before his death, as reported earlier.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry reiterated that Israel never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any harm to a religious site or to uninvolved civilians. The IDF continues to review the circumstances surrounding the incident, with the hope of preventing such tragedies in the future.
- The international community is urging for increased protection of civilians and religious sites in the midst of war-and-conflicts, as the attack on the Holy Family Church highlights the general-news of innocent lives lost and damage caused.
- Political leaders, including Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have expressed their concern and condemnation of the crime-and-justice that took place, as church-goers were caught in the crossfire during military operations in Gaza.
- Despite the repeated intent to minimize harm to civilians and religious sites by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), unfortunate incidents such as the bombing of the Holy Family Church in Gaza City may lead to accidents and tragic outcomes for unarmed civilians.
