An Israeli airstrike mistakenly targeted Gaza's Holy Family Church, resulting in three fatalities and injuries. PM Netanyahu expressed deep regret, while the Latin Patriarchate called for an end to the ongoing conflict.
Israel Expresses Regret Over Fatal Attack on Gaza's Catholic Church
Israel Expresses Regret Over Fatal Attack on Gaza's Catholic Church
Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledges a tragic incident at the Holy Family Church, leading to casualties among civilians seeking refuge.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conveyed his country's deep regret over a tragic incident involving an Israeli strike that mistakenly struck the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic Church in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of three civilians seeking shelter. "Every innocent life lost is a tragedy, and we share the grief of the families and the faithful," Netanyahu stated.
The devastating incident unfolded on Thursday when the church in Gaza City was hit, causing injuries to several other individuals, as reported by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the small community. Pope Leo XIV expressed his profound sadness at the loss of life and injuries, reiterating his plea for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In his statement, Netanyahu emphasized that an investigation into the event is underway and reiterated Israel's commitment to safeguarding civilians and religious sites. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) followed up with a report claiming that an initial inquiry indicated stray fragments from a shell fired during military operations inadvertently hit the church. They underscored that strikes are aimed solely at military targets while making efforts to minimize harm to civilians and religious structures, expressing sorrow for any unintended damage.
Earlier in the day, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt shared that President Donald Trump had a negative reaction to the attack on the church. In a conversation with Netanyahu, he characterized the incident as a "mistake."
The Latin Patriarchate revealed that among the injured was Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest. They highlighted that victims sought sanctuary in the church, hoping the horrors of war would spare their lives after enduring the loss of their homes and dignity. They called for an immediate conclusion to the ongoing violence, emphasizing the urgency of peace amidst the turmoil.
