TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Israeli military attacked the Holy Family Church in Gaza on Thursday, July 17, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people. This church was reportedly a site frequently visited by the late Pope Francis.
Among the casualties were eight individuals who were guarding aid trucks in Gaza. The airstrike occurred while mediators were continuing ceasefire negotiations in Doha.
According to Al Jazeera, at least two people were killed and several others injured in the morning attack on the Holy Family Church. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed that one of the injured was parish priest Gabriel Romanelli, in a statement regarding the incident at the only Holy Family church in Gaza.
Father Romanelli, an Argentine, had regularly provided updates on the Israel-Palestine conflict to the late Pope Francis. Television footage showed him receiving treatment at Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza, with a bandage on his lower right leg.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israel for the attacks in Gaza. "The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such behavior," she said in a statement on his X account.
The Vatican has not yet commented on the incident. The Israeli military stated that they are investigating the matter.
"The IDF is aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene. The circumstances of the incident are under review," they said.
"The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them."
Israel claims to be attempting to eradicate Hamas in Gaza following the October 2023 attack on Israel. The ongoing Israeli military operation in the region has led to widespread hunger and severe shortages for Palestinian civilians.
Palestinian medical officials reported that one airstrike on Thursday killed a man, his wife, and their five children in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Another attack in the north killed eight men assigned to guard aid trucks. Three people died in an airstrike in central Gaza, and four in Zeitoun, eastern Gaza.
According to Gaza health authorities, Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed more than 58,000 Palestinian residents.
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