Holy Family Church in Gaza Struck in Deadly Israeli Attack, Sparks Global Outcry

By Stefano Pitrelli, Claire Parker, Mohamad El Chamaa, Siham Shamalakh

Washington Post · 18 Jul, 2025 05:02 AM

The Holy Family Church in Gaza City, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, has long been a beacon of hope and refuge for the region’s small Catholic community and a place of shelter for displaced Palestinians during the ongoing conflict. However, on July 18, the church was struck by an Israeli strike, leaving it extensively damaged and claiming three lives, including two Orthodox Christians who had taken shelter there.

The attack, which also injured 10 people, has drawn sharp condemnation from religious leaders, international officials, and human rights organizations. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees Catholic religious affairs in the region, described the attack as a “flagrant violation of human dignity” and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

According to the Latin Patriarchate, the strike occurred when approximately 450 displaced individuals, including Muslims and Christians, were seeking shelter at the church. The attack left the roof of the church damaged, with shrapnel scattered across the courtyard, seriously wounding two elderly women and others nearby.

A Symbol of Resilience

For over 18 months, the church has remained a symbol of resilience in the face of relentless Israeli bombing and military operations. Despite the chaos surrounding it, the church continued to hold services and provided spiritual guidance to its parishioners. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, described how Pope Francis maintained regular contact with the church, offering blessings and expressing concern for the safety of the congregation. This connection, which continued even after the Pope’s death in April 2025, underscored the church’s significance not only as a place of worship but as a symbol of hope and solidarity.

International Reactions

The attack has triggered an outpouring of condemnation from global leaders. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among the first to speak out, calling the attacks on civilians “unacceptable” and stating that “no military action can justify such behavior.” The Vatican, through Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, expressed deep sadness over the attack and reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel’s government, in a statement, expressed regret over the incident, calling it a “stray ammunition hit” and noting that the Israeli military “directs its strikes solely at military targets.” However, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that an initial investigation suggested fragments from a shell fired during operational activity may have mistakenly hit the church. The IDF emphasized its commitment to minimizing harm to civilians and religious structures.

The Human Toll

The victims of the attack included two elderly women who were severely wounded inside a Caritas tent, a Catholic charity that runs mental health services at the church. The attack also forced the evacuation of people with special needs, some of whom rely on ventilators, placing their lives at risk.

According to an aid worker in contact with the church, the GPS coordinates of the entire church compound were provided to the Israeli military early in the war. This information was intended to ensure the safety of the church, but the attack has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of such measures.

A Call for Justice

The attack has reignited global calls for an end to the violence in Gaza, with many pointing to the humanitarian crisis that has left over 58,000 people dead and nearly the entire population displaced. The Vatican, which has been a vocal critic of the Israeli military campaign, has once again called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and emphasized the need to protect religious sites and civilian populations in times of war.

The Holy Family Church, once a place of safety and spiritual solace, now stands as a stark reminder of the devastation wrought by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.