On July 17, 2025, an Israeli projectile—reportedly a stray tank shell—struck the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, the only Catholic church in the Strip. The attack resulted in the tragic death of three civilians, including two women and a man who were taking refuge inside the compound. Additionally, ten people were injured, including the parish priest Gabriel Romanelli, who was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The church had been serving as a shelter for more than 500 displaced people, including children and individuals with disabilities, amid the ongoing conflict.
The building sustained significant structural damage, including the destruction of the facade, the roof, and part of the area where the main cross once stood. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his «deep regret» over the incident, attributing it to stray ammunition and ordered an investigation. However, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, stated that the projectile was fired directly at the church, casting doubt on the official version.
The international response was swift. Pope Leo XIV condemned the attack and called for an immediate end to the hostilities, while Christian leaders and governments, such as that of Italy, demanded protection for holy sites and civilians trapped in the conflict. As an act of solidarity, Cardinal Pizzaballa and Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III paid a joint visit to the damaged church, delivering humanitarian aid and denouncing the growing threat to religious minorities in Gaza.
This attack is part of a broader pattern of bombings targeting civilian and religious infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, which has sparked strong criticism from humanitarian organizations and international leaders demanding respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of the civilian population.
