A shell from Israeli forces struck Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church on Thursday, killing three civilians and wounding 10 others – together with parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli – in one of the vital devastating blows but to the tiny Christian group sheltering within the war-ravaged enclave.
The Israeli army acknowledged the incident, calling it a “mistake.”
In a press release, it stated fragments from a shell fired throughout operations could have “unintentionally struck” the church, and promised an investigation.
The compound, housing over 600 displaced Palestinians – Christians and Muslims alike, together with 54 folks with disabilities – suffered main structural injury.
The Vatican and far of the worldwide group swiftly condemned the strike.
Pope Leo XIV expressed “profound sorrow,” urging an instantaneous cease-fire and calling for “dialogue, reconciliation and lasting peace.”
The late Pope Francis, who maintained common contact with the Gaza church till his dying in April, had continuously criticized Israel’s conduct within the conflict and urged world accountability.
“The shell didn’t just strike a building – it struck our faith, our dignity,” stated Shady Abu Dawood, whose aged mom was wounded by shrapnel. “We were unarmed, innocent, praying for peace.”
Among the lifeless had been a 60-year-old janitor and an 84-year-old girl receiving psychological assist from Caritas Jerusalem.
Father Romanelli, injured however alive, had change into a logo of religious resilience through the 21-month battle.
The compound lies simply meters from Al-Ahli Hospital – one other repeatedly focused web site in a densely bombarded space.
Over the previous week, the environment have been hit a number of occasions, in line with the hospital’s director, Fadel Naem.
Italy and France condemned the assault, with Rome’s overseas minister confirming {that a} delegation of Christian leaders, together with the Catholic Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, entered Gaza on Friday.
They delivered assist and stood in solidarity with native Christians in a uncommon present of unity, joined by diplomats from greater than 20 nations.
“It’s a powerful expression of ecclesiastical unity,” the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate stated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel “deeply regrets” the church shelling, calling it a “stray round.”
He reportedly acquired a name from U.S. President Donald Trump, who, in line with the White House, expressed frustration over the assault.
Bloody monitor report
This is just not the primary strike on a non secular web site. The Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza was beforehand hit, and Christian leaders say Israeli assaults on sacred places have gotten disturbingly frequent.
Thursday additionally noticed one other lethal blast at two faculties sheltering civilians within the al-Bureij refugee camp, killing one and injuring 17, in line with Al-Awda Hospital.
The Israeli military has not commented on that strike.
The Gaza Health Ministry, extensively considered essentially the most dependable supply for casualty figures by worldwide businesses, reported that 94 folks had been killed and 367 wounded up to now 24 hours alone.
The ministry estimates Israel’s offensive has now claimed over 58,667 Palestinian lives, with ladies and kids making up greater than half the lifeless.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, incursion on southern Israel that killed 1,219 and led to 251 hostages, has left a lot of Gaza in ruins.
While some hostages have since been freed, at the very least 50 stay in captivity.
Amid a stalled cease-fire course of, an Israeli official stated there’s “some flexibility” on contentious points like army hall presence, however main hurdles stay – together with prisoner exchanges and phrases to finish the conflict.
Gaza’s Christian inhabitants has dwindled to simply round 1,000, largely Greek Orthodox, with solely about 135 Catholics. Many have fled attributable to conflict, persecution and a collapsing financial system.
Local church authorities stated the continued assaults on non secular sanctuaries violate each worldwide legislation and human dignity. “Religious institutions must be safe havens, not war zones,” the Jerusalem Patriarchate stated.
Source: www.dailysabah.com