Mid-East conflict not stemming from religious strife, but rather brutal subjugation of one society by another, asserts Leila Sansour
In the besieged city of Gaza, the Holy Family Church, the sole Catholic place of worship, was struck by an Israeli tank shell on July 17, 2025. The incident resulted in three fatalities, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, and multiple injuries.
Initially, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported the damage as a mistaken strike. However, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed uncertainty about the incident's authenticity. He stated, "the IDF says by mistake, but we are not sure about this" [2].
Cardinal Pizzaballa emphasized the need for more information before making conclusive statements, given the limited communication from Gaza [2]. While the Israeli military suggested the damage was accidental, Cardinal Pizzaballa did not confirm this view and maintained a cautious stance.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem swiftly condemned the attack as a violation of human dignity and the sanctity of religious sites [1][3]. France, Italy, and the United States also expressed their disapproval, with President Donald Trump showing grave concern. Pope Leo XIV further condemned the strike and called for a ceasefire.
Two days after the incident, Cardinal Pizzaballa and Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, were allowed to visit the damaged church in Gaza [4]. Upon their visit, Cardinal Pizzaballa later doubted that the shot in question could have been accidental [5].
The speaker, a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem, expressed deep feelings about the Gaza church incident. They identified as a Palestinian, with their family having lived in Bethlehem for centuries. The Christian population of Gaza numbers less than a thousand today.
Despite the perceived attempts by Israel to portray Christians as different from Muslims for decades, the speaker believes that Christian and Muslim Palestinians share the same land, fate, and thirst for freedom. They also emphasize that Christian and Muslim Palestinians suffer together.
Remarkably, the church still stands, considered a miracle by many. Humanitarian aid and messages of solidarity poured in from around the world. The speaker also highlighted that the church serves as a refuge for both Christian and Muslim Palestinians in Gaza.
In the wake of this tragic event, the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict and the protection of religious sites.
- In light of the uncertainty surrounding the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) claim of a mistaken strike, Cardinal Pizzaballa, after visiting the damaged church in Gaza, subsequently doubted that the shot in question could have been accidental.
- With the international community emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to war-and-conflicts, the speaker, a Palestinian Christian, underscores that Christian and Muslim Palestinians alike, regardless of politics, share the same land, fate, and thirst for freedom, and suffer together in general-news scenarios like the Gaza church incident.
