Israel Bombs Gaza’s Solely Catholic Church, Killing At Least 3 And Wounding Parish Priest

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli shell slammed into the compound of the one Catholic church within the Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing three folks and wounding 10 others, together with the parish priest, in accordance with church officers. The late Pope Francis, who died in April, had usually spoken to the priest concerning the state of affairs within the war-ravaged territory.

The shelling of the Holy Household Catholic Church in Gaza additionally broken the church compound, the place tons of of Palestinians have been sheltering from the 21-month Israel-Hamas warfare. Israel issued a uncommon apology and stated it was investigating.

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday renewed his name for a right away ceasefire in response to the assault.

In a telegram of condolences for the victims, Leo expressed “his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region.” The pope stated he was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack,″ and expressed his closeness to the Rev. Gabriel Romanelli and the entire parish.

The church compound was sheltering both Christians and Muslims, including a number of children with disabilities, according to Fadel Naem, acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the casualties.

The Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem said the parish’s 60-year-old janitor and an 84-year-old woman receiving psychosocial support inside a Caritas tent in the church compound were killed in the attack. Parish priest Romanelli was lightly wounded.

“We were struck in the church while all the people there were elders, innocent people and children,” stated Shady Abu Dawood, whose mom was wounded by shrapnel to her head. “We love peace and call for it, and this is a brutal, unjustified action by the Israeli occupation.”

The Israeli navy stated it was investigating. It stated it “makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them.”

In a uncommon transfer, the Israeli International Ministry posted an apology on social media. “Israel expresses deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty,” it stated.

Israel has repeatedly struck faculties, shelters, hospitals and different civilian buildings, accusing Hamas militants of sheltering inside and blaming them for civilian deaths. Palestinians say nowhere has felt secure since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni blamed Israel for the strike on the church. “The attacks on the civilian population that Israel has been demonstrating for months are unacceptable,” she stated.

The church is only a stone’s throw from Al-Ahli Hospital, Naem stated, noting that the world round each the church and the hospital has been repeatedly struck for over per week.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which additionally has a church in Gaza that beforehand sustained harm from Israeli strikes, stated the Holy Household Church was sheltering 600 displaced folks, together with many kids, and 54 folks with disabilities. It stated the constructing suffered vital harm.

Focusing on a holy web site “is a blatant affront to human dignity and a grave violation of the sanctity of life and the inviolability of religious sites, which are meant to serve as safe havens during times of war,” the Church stated in an announcement.

Individually, one other particular person was killed and 17 wounded Thursday in a strike in opposition to two faculties sheltering displaced folks within the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, in accordance with Al-Awda Hospital. The Israeli navy didn’t instantly touch upon the strike.

Within the final 18 months of his life, Francis would usually name the lone Catholic church within the Gaza Strip to see how folks huddled inside have been dealing with a devastating warfare.

Francis had repeatedly criticized Israel’s wartime conduct, and final yr instructed that allegations of genocide in Gaza — which Israel has rejected as a “blood libel” — needs to be investigated. The late pope additionally met with the households of Israeli hostages and referred to as for his or her launch.

Only one,000 Christians stay in Gaza, an overwhelmingly Muslim territory, in accordance with the U.S. State Division’s worldwide spiritual freedom report for 2024. Most are Greek Orthodox.

The Holy Land’s Christian inhabitants has dwindled in current many years as many have emigrated to flee warfare and battle or to hunt higher alternatives overseas. Native Christian leaders have not too long ago denounced assaults by Israeli settlers and Jewish extremists.

There was little seen progress in months of oblique talks between Israel and Hamas geared toward a brand new ceasefire and hostage launch settlement, after Israel ended an earlier truce in March.

Based on an Israeli official acquainted with the small print, Israel is exhibiting “flexibility” on among the points which have challenged negotiators, together with Israel’s presence in among the safety corridors the navy has carved into the territory.

The official, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of they have been discussing ongoing negotiations, stated Israel has proven some willingness to compromise on the Morag Hall, which cuts throughout southern Gaza. Nevertheless, different points stay, together with the record of Palestinian prisoners to be freed by Israel and commitments to finish the warfare.

The official says there are indicators of optimism however there received’t be a deal instantly.

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 folks, principally civilians, within the Oct. 7 assault and kidnapped 251 folks, most of whom have since been launched in ceasefire agreements or different offers. Fifty hostages are nonetheless being held, lower than half of them believed to be alive

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 58,000 Palestinians, in accordance with Gaza’s Health Ministry, which has stated girls and kids make up greater than half of the useless. It doesn’t distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally.

The ministry is a part of the Hamas-run authorities however is led by medical professionals. The United Nations and different worldwide organizations contemplate its figures to be essentially the most dependable depend of warfare casualties.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Colleen Barry in Milan, Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed.