Deadly Strike Hits Gaza’s Only Catholic Church, Sparking Outcry

An Israeli strike on Gaza’s sole Catholic church, the Holy Family Parish Church, on Thursday claimed the lives of two individuals and injured several others, including the parish priest. The incident has drawn widespread international condemnation and a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire from Pope Leo XIV.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the devastating impact of what it described as an “apparent strike by the Israeli army” that hit the Holy Family Compound in Gaza City on Thursday morning, July 17, 2025. The victims were identified by the Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem as Saed Salameh, the parish’s 60-year-old janitor, and Foumia Ayyad, an 84-year-old woman who was receiving psychosocial support within a Caritas tent located in the church compound. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, also sustained light injuries from shrapnel.

The Holy Family Church has long served as a vital sanctuary for hundreds of displaced civilians, including both Christians and Muslims, with many children and individuals with disabilities among those seeking refuge within its walls. The Latin Patriarchate expressed profound dismay, stating that the strike “destroyed large parts of the complex” and condemned the targeting of “innocent civilians and of a sacred place,” noting that those sheltering there had believed the church compound would offer safety from the ongoing conflict.

In response to the incident, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the “circumstances of the incident are under review” and expressed regret over any damage caused to civilian structures or religious sites, asserting that Israel “never targets churches or religious sites.” However, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, voiced skepticism, telling Vatican News, “What we know for sure is that a tank… hit the Church directly.”

The attack immediately sparked outrage from global leaders and religious authorities. Pope Leo XIV, in a telegram signed by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, conveyed his deep sadness and reiterated his “call for an immediate ceasefire” while expressing “profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also strongly condemned the strike, declaring, “The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude.” Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, also denounced the incident as a “new crime” against places of worship and displaced persons.

This tragic event further escalates concerns about the protection of non-combatants and adherence to international humanitarian law amidst the protracted conflict in Gaza, where religious and civilian infrastructure continues to bear the brunt of hostilities.