Attack on Catholic Church in Gaza

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem reported that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) targeted Gaza’s sole Catholic church during an operation on Thursday morning.

Cardinal Piabattista Pizzaballa, a key figure in the Latin Patriarchate and the larger Catholic community in Gaza, informed Vatican News that the IDF’s tank strikes resulted in serious injuries to four individuals, including Father Gabriel Romanelli, a priest at the church.

“What we know is that the tank hit the Holy Family Church directly,” Pizzaballa stated. “Four people were seriously hurt, and two of them are in very critical condition.” He expressed deep concern over the situation, highlighting the urgency of the matter.

As of now, the IDF has not responded to inquiries regarding the attack.

According to reports, the Holy Family Church currently shelters approximately 500 displaced persons within its walls, amidst a backdrop of around 1,300 Christians residing in Gaza, as stated in a 2022 report by the State Department.

Pope Leo XIV expressed his condemnation of the attacks in a recent statement, conveying his sorrow over the incident. He extended prayers for both the deceased and those injured, calling for an immediate ceasefire and advocating for dialogue aimed at achieving lasting peace.

Christians in Gaza face significant challenges, exacerbated by the prevailing influence of Hamas. The community’s small size complicates their situation further. Amid these difficulties, the Catholic Church continues to be a focal point as the humanitarian crisis intensifies.

Peace negotiations involving Israel, the United States, and Hamas are ongoing, potentially paving the way for normalization of relations between Arab nations and Israel. Notably, Israel has also begun airstrikes in the Syrian capital following reports of attacks on Druze populations in southern Syria.