Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a deeply alarming development, Israel has come under global scrutiny after a strike on the only Catholic church in Gaza—the Holy Family Church—left three civilians dead and ten injured, including the parish priest Gabriel Romanelli. The attack caused major structural damage to the church complex, where hundreds of Palestinians, including children and people with disabilities, had taken refuge.
According to Israeli officials, the shelling was unintentional. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret, calling the incident a “tragic accident” and admitted that a stray shell had landed on the church premises. “Every innocent life lost is heartbreaking,” Netanyahu added.
The bombing has triggered global outrage. Pope Leo XIV strongly condemned the attack, calling it a direct violation of human dignity and religious sanctity. He renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged international action to end hostilities.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed his disapproval of the bombing, emphasizing the need to protect civilians and religious institutions even during wartime.
Despite mounting criticism, the Israeli military reiterated that it does not target civilians or places of worship. However, human rights groups and religious organizations have raised concerns over repeated attacks on civilian shelters.
The Holy Family Church had been sheltering both Christian and Muslim residents from the intensifying conflict in Gaza. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem released a statement denouncing the attack as a “violation of sacred spaces and an assault on humanity.”
This incident adds to a long list of civilian tragedies during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, now in its 21st month. Over 58,600 Palestinians have reportedly been killed so far, with more than half of the victims being women and children, according to local health officials.
Schools, hospitals, and churches—traditionally considered safe zones—have been repeatedly struck during the conflict. Many Palestinians in Gaza say they feel there is no place left untouched by violence.
While negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and hostage release continue behind closed doors, a lasting solution remains elusive. Meanwhile, international pressure is mounting on Israel to halt operations that endanger civilians and religious landmarks.
The bombing of the Holy Family Church has reignited global concerns about the humanitarian toll of the conflict and the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution.
