Israeli shelling kills three at Gaza's only Catholic church

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, an Israeli shell struck the Holy Family Catholic Church, the only Catholic church in Gaza, resulting in a tragic loss of life. The attack killed three individuals and wounded ten others, including the church's parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. This incident comes amid ongoing military hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which escalated after Hamas launched a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians. In retaliation, Israel has significantly intensified its military operations in Gaza, leading to widespread destruction and a heavy civilian toll. Following the shelling, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and injuries in a statement, reiterating his call for an immediate ceasefire. He condemned the violence that has afflicted both Israelis and Palestinians and the targeting of innocent civilians. Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the incident as an accident, asserting that every life lost is a tragedy and that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would investigate the circumstances surrounding the shelling. Despite this, the ongoing military action has met with fierce denunciation from global leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who labeled Israel's military actions as unacceptable and unjustified. As of now, the church compound has been housing displaced individuals from both Christian and Muslim communities, including vulnerable groups like children with disabilities. Approximately 500 displaced persons had sought refuge there, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis within Gaza. This attack illustrates a recurring cycle of violence that has led to significant suffering among the civilians residing in the region, impacting not just the religious communities but also the broader population caught in the crossfire. Following this attack, top church leaders from both the Catholic and Greek Orthodox communities made a rare visit to Gaza on Friday, July 18, reflecting a fragile yet crucial solidarity amid ongoing violence. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visited the church to emphasize the shared pastoral concern for the residents and express solidarity with the affected community. The visit is a notable and rare occurrence, underscoring the dire situation within Gaza, where entry and exit have been severely restricted since the conflict intensified. In conclusion, the tragic shelling further accentuates the need for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian solutions to alleviate the suffering in Gaza. As calls for peace become ever more urgent, the international community continues to seek accountability and justice for the civilians trapped in this enduring conflict.