Tragic explosion claims lives at Gaza's solitary Catholic church, leaving three deceased
In a shocking turn of events, the Holy Family Church in Gaza, which serves as a sanctuary for around 600 displaced people, mostly children, was attacked by the Israeli army on Friday morning. The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:20 AM, has resulted in three fatalities and nine injuries, two of whom are in critical condition. Among the injured is Argentine priest Gabriel Romanelli.
Israel has expressed deep regret for the damage to the church and any civilian casualties, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Defense Forces issuing statements claiming the incident was not deliberate and promising a thorough investigation. However, details regarding the progress or findings of the investigation have yet to be revealed in available reports.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has strongly condemned the attack on innocent civilians and the damage caused to the building, labelling it a flagrant violation of human dignity and the sacred character of religious places. The attack on the church, which is predominantly Muslim with around a thousand Christians, has been met with international condemnation.
France, Argentina, and the Catholic charity L'Oeuvre d'Orient have all issued statements condemning the bombing of the Holy Family church. Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, has requested "clarifications" from his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, regarding the incident.
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Islamic militant fighters launched a surprise attack in southern Israel. Since then, more than 58,500 Palestinians have died in the Gaza Strip, mostly civilians, according to confidential health ministry figures cited by the UN, in response to the Israeli military intervention.
The Gaza Civil Defense Agency reported at least twenty deaths in other Israeli strikes across the territory on Friday. The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has named the Israeli army for the attack on the Holy Family church, calling it "unacceptable." The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, confirmed that a tank destroyed and hit the church.
Pope Leo XIV expressed profound sadness over the attack but did not mention Israel. Father Romanelli, who was treated at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza for an injury to his right leg, is reportedly recovering. During the war, members of the Catholic community and some Orthodox Christians have sought refuge in the church, which is said to be "under historic protection" by France.
As the investigation into the bombing of the Holy Family Church continues, tensions remain high, with religious leaders and the international community closely monitoring the situation.
The investigation into the bombing of the Holy Family Church, a general news topic, has faced criticism as details regarding its progress or findings have yet to be revealed, adding to the ongoing political discourse. The incident, classified under crime-and-justice, has sparked war-and-conflicts tensions, with international leaders condemning the attack and calling for clarifications on the Israeli army's involvement.
