An Israeli strike has hit the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in Gaza, killing two people and injuring several others, including the parish priest, who was known for his close relationship with the late Pope Francis.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed in a statement: “Two persons were killed as a result of an apparent strike by the Israeli army that hit the Holy Family compound this morning.” The compound had been sheltering both Christians and Muslims, including disabled children and elderly civilians.
Father Gabriel Romanelli, the Argentinian parish priest of the church since 2019, was among the wounded. Reuters footage from the hospital showed him with a bandaged leg, walking with difficulty. Romanelli had a deeply personal bond with the late Pope Francis, who would call him daily throughout the Gaza conflict until his own death in April. The Pope began the calls on 9 October 2023, just two days after Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel, and continued them even after he was hospitalised, in a show of solidarity.
Dr Fadel Naim, acting director of al-Ahli Arab Hospital, which received the wounded, said two people were critically injured. Among the other casualties were a disabled child, two women, and an elderly person.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the church was hit by Israeli tank shelling. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) acknowledged awareness of the reports, saying in a statement: “The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them. The circumstances of the incident are under review.”
The Vatican has not yet issued a statement.
Italy PM condemns Church attack
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, responded to the incident with sharp condemnation, saying: “The Israeli raids on Gaza have also hit the Holy Family Church. The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such behaviour.”
The Holy Family Church also issued its statement, confirming “several injured, some in critical condition”.
The compound had become a place of refuge for many since the start of the war, including individuals with special needs. Its targeting has sent shockwaves through Gaza’s Christian and Muslim communities alike.
The incident comes amid a surge of violence across the Gaza Strip. On Thursday alone, dozens of Palestinians were reported killed or wounded in Israeli airstrikes, including four civilians in a home near the Imam al-Shafi’i school in the al-Zeitoun district, south-east of Gaza City.
Following the death of Pope Francis, Father Romanelli spoke to The Guardian about the late pontiff’s compassion. “Even after he was hospitalised, he continued calling to check on us,” he said. “Our grief is deep because we lost someone we felt had become a member of our church.”
In his final Easter Sunday address, Francis had urged for an end to the conflict, condemning the “deplorable humanitarian situation” in Gaza. He pleaded for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and humanitarian relief for what he called “a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”
