Gaza Catholic church attacked in Israeli raid

Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza was struck in an Israeli raid this morning. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Eminence Cardinal Pizzaballa, confirmed the attack in a post on X.

The post, published at 9:30 AM UK time, stated that there were no casualties, though several people were injured, including the parish priest, Fr Gabriel Romanelli, who used to update Pope Francis daily on the situation in Gaza. Speaking to Vatican News, Cardinal Pizzaballa said: “What we know for sure is that a tank – the IDF says by mistake, but we are not sure about this – hit the church directly, the Church of the Holy Family, the Latin church.”

He continued: “There are four people seriously wounded. Among these four, two are in very dramatic conditions and their lives are in serious danger.”

However, a conflicting report from doctors at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City claimed that two women had been killed following the raid.

The Vatican has yet to release an official statement. Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, posted on X shortly after the attack was confirmed: “Israeli raids on Gaza also hit the Church of the Holy Family. The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude.”

The Israeli military told the Associated Press that they were “looking into it.”

In 2022, around 1,100 Christians lived in the Gaza Strip, including approximately 135 Catholics – though that number is thought to have significantly declined.

Holy Family Catholic Church is the only Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip. Located in Gaza City, it operates under the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius is situated nearby.

The parish is led by Latin-rite priests, often Rosminian missionaries, and includes a school and a convent run by the Missionaries of Charity.

Holy Family has provided shelter to both Christians and Muslims living in Gaza since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with hundreds seeking refuge in its compound.

The Gaza Ministry of Health (Hamas‑run) reports that over 58,380 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel–Hamas conflict to date. 

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