DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — In a tragic incident on Thursday, an Israeli shell struck the Holy Family Catholic Church, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of three individuals and injuring ten others, including parish priest Rev. Gabriel Romanelli.
Church officials confirmed that the attack not only claimed lives but also inflicted significant damage on the church compound, which has been a refuge for hundreds of Palestinians fleeing the ongoing violence of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Israel acknowledged the incident with a rare public apology and announced it is undertaking an investigation into the attack.
Pope Leo XIV, fresh into his papacy, condemned the act, renewing his call for an immediate ceasefire. He expressed his deep sorrow in a telegram and conveyed his hope for dialogue and reconciliation in the region, particularly for those impacted by the military strike.
The incident has drawn attention as the church compound was reportedly providing shelter to a diverse group of displaced individuals, including both Christians and Muslims, along with children with disabilities. The acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, Fadel Naem, noted that many casualties were brought to their facility following the shelling.
Among the deceased were a 60-year-old janitor who served the parish and an 84-year-old woman who was receiving psychosocial support within a Caritas tent on the church grounds. Fortunately, Rev. Romanelli sustained only light injuries in the strike, but the community’s grief was palpable.
Witness Shady Abu Dawood described the scene as shocking, stating that the church was filled with elderly individuals, innocent people, and children when the attack occurred. He characterized the shelling as a brutal and unjustified act by the Israeli occupation, calling for peace in a war-torn region that has seen pervasive violence.
The Israeli military has claimed that it works diligently to avoid civilian casualties, including those involving religious sites, and expressed regret for any damage caused. Their communication included an apology from the Israeli Foreign Ministry via social media, acknowledging the sorrow felt for the attack on the church, while emphasizing the complexity of the ongoing conflict.
This incident is not isolated; church compounds have been hit previously, a concerning trend that raises further alarm. The area surrounding the Holy Family Church and Al-Ahli Hospital has faced relentless strikes over the past week, according to Naem.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which has its own church in Gaza that has sustained damages from Israeli strikes, reported that the Holy Family Church was sheltering around 600 displaced people at the time of the shelling.
In a statement, the Church expressed that targeting a holy site stands as a blatant affront to human dignity and a severe violation of the sanctity of life, emphasizing the role these spaces play during times of war as havens of safety.
On the same day, another strike in the Al-Bureij refugee camp resulted in the death of one person and injuries to 17 others. Al-Awda Hospital reported the casualties, while the Israeli military did not provide immediate comments on the attack.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that within 24 hours, hospitals had received the bodies of 94 deceased individuals alongside another 367 wounded, reflecting the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict.
In the months leading up to this tragedy, the late Pope Francis maintained a close connection with the Catholic community in Gaza, regularly reaching out to Rev. Romanelli to check on the well-being of those sheltering in the church. His consistent advocacy for peace and critique of wartime conduct have left an enduring impact on the community.
Despite Israel’s claims of engaging in military action against Hamas, accusations of disproportionate measures persist. Francis had previously called for investigations into allegations of genocide in Gaza and consistently advocated for the release of hostages taken in the conflict.
With only about 1,000 Christians residing in Gaza, the community has faced significant difficulties in recent decades, primarily driven by emigration due to the ongoing violence and limited opportunities. The local Christian leadership has voiced concerns regarding attacks from Israeli settlers and Jewish extremists, further complicating an already fragile situation.
As discussions surrounding a ceasefire continue, the situation remains precarious. Talks between Israeli and Hamas representatives have shown little progress despite months of negotiations aimed at establishing a new ceasefire and the release of hostages. An Israeli official indicated there is a willingness to show flexibility on some issues but acknowledged that substantial challenges remain, particularly concerning agreements on prisoner releases and commitments to end hostilities.
The dynamics of the conflict are further complicated by the fact that Hamas-led militants launched an attack on October 7 that claimed around 1,200 lives, predominantly among civilians. Although many hostages have been released through various agreements, approximately 50 individuals are still in captivity, with concerns about their well-being.
In contrast, Israel’s retaliatory actions have reportedly resulted in over 58,600 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry’s figures, which do not differentiate between civilians and militants in their assessments.
This latest shelling of the church and the loss of innocent lives have intensified calls for action and accountability amidst a war that has ravaged lives and communities, leaving many yearning for peace and a path towards reconciliation.
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