The attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, prompting international calls for a ceasefire.
Israeli Airstrike Hits Gaza Church, Causing Casualties Amid Ceasefire Tensions
Israeli Airstrike Hits Gaza Church, Causing Casualties Amid Ceasefire Tensions
An Israeli strike on a Catholic church in Gaza leaves three dead as ceasefire negotiations remain stalled.
In a significant escalation of violence, an Israeli airstrike targeted the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to at least six others, including the parish priest. The assault occurred during peak hours, around 10:10 a.m., with several hundred Palestinians seeking refuge within the church compound.
Farid Jubran, a spokesperson for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, expressed uncertainty regarding the exact nature of the munition, whether it was air-dropped or tank-fired. Following the incident, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its sorrow over the destruction caused to the church, while announcing that the military was investigating the matter.
Pope Leo XIV responded to the tragedy by urgently calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the need for an immediate halt to hostilities. The strike comes during a period of stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, as Israel intensifies its military operations against Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for years.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported a dramatic toll on civilian life, stating that over 7,750 Palestinians have been killed since the breakdown of the last ceasefire in March, with many perishing while attempting to access essential resources such as food. The ongoing conflict, ignited by a Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, has claimed more than 55,000 Palestinian lives, leading to severe humanitarian distress in the strip.
Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, labeled the Israeli strikes on civilians as "unacceptable," arguing that no military justification can excuse such actions. Among those affected by the church strike were parish priest Gabriel Romanelli and two locals, Saad Salameh and Fumayya Ayyad, both of whom lost their lives shortly after the strike. The tragic attack continues to highlight the dire consequences of the relentless conflict in the region, spurring urgent calls for peace and humanitarian relief.
Farid Jubran, a spokesperson for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, expressed uncertainty regarding the exact nature of the munition, whether it was air-dropped or tank-fired. Following the incident, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its sorrow over the destruction caused to the church, while announcing that the military was investigating the matter.
Pope Leo XIV responded to the tragedy by urgently calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the need for an immediate halt to hostilities. The strike comes during a period of stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, as Israel intensifies its military operations against Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for years.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported a dramatic toll on civilian life, stating that over 7,750 Palestinians have been killed since the breakdown of the last ceasefire in March, with many perishing while attempting to access essential resources such as food. The ongoing conflict, ignited by a Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, has claimed more than 55,000 Palestinian lives, leading to severe humanitarian distress in the strip.
Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, labeled the Israeli strikes on civilians as "unacceptable," arguing that no military justification can excuse such actions. Among those affected by the church strike were parish priest Gabriel Romanelli and two locals, Saad Salameh and Fumayya Ayyad, both of whom lost their lives shortly after the strike. The tragic attack continues to highlight the dire consequences of the relentless conflict in the region, spurring urgent calls for peace and humanitarian relief.
