On 17/7, an Israeli tank shell hit the Holy Family Church, the only catholic church in the Gaza Strip, killing three and injuring 10, including Father Gabriel Romanelli, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The church was sheltering around 600 displaced people, mostly children and vulnerable individuals.

Shadi Abu Daoud, whose 70-year-old mother was killed in the shelling, said Israeli tanks "targeted us and hit the church." The Hamas-run civil defense authority in Gaza confirmed the casualties.

The Holy Family Church in Gaza City after being hit by Israeli tank fire on 17/7. Photo: AFP

The Holy Family Church in Gaza City after being hit by Israeli tank fire on 17/7. Photo: AFP

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said an initial investigation indicated that shrapnel "accidentally" hit the church area. They claimed to have made every effort to minimize civilian and religious site casualties. However, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressed doubt.

"What we are sure of is that Israeli tanks fired directly at the church. The IDF says it fired by mistake, but we are not sure if that's true," said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a "stray bullet" hit the Holy Family Church and expressed "deep regret," stating that "every loss of innocent life is a tragedy."

Pope Leo XIV said he was "deeply saddened" by the casualties at the Holy Family Church. His predecessor, Pope Francis, frequently contacted the church following the outbreak of conflict in the Gaza Strip.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Netanyahu after the incident. Trump "did not react positively" to the news.

"The Prime Minister told the President that hitting the church was Israel's mistake," Leavitt said.

Funeral of victims killed in the Israeli shelling of the Holy Family Church on 17/7. Photo: AFP

Funeral of victims killed in the Israeli shelling of the Holy Family Church on 17/7. Photo: AFP

Leaders of other countries, including Italy and France, also called the attack "unacceptable."

Gaza's civil defense authority reported that other Israeli strikes in the territory on the same day killed at least 20 more people.

Of the more than two million people in the Gaza Strip, around 1,000 are Christians. Most are Orthodox Christians, with about 135 Catholics, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Pope Francis repeatedly called for an end to the Gaza conflict. In his final Easter message before his death on 21/4, he warned of the "dire humanitarian situation" in the territory.

Pham Giang (According to AFP)