FILE -Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, Latin parish priest of Gaza Strip, left, prays during the midnight Christmas Eve mass at Deir Al Latin Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City, Dec. 24, 2021
A deadly Israeli airstrike struck the Holy Family Church in Gaza, killing three civilians and injuring a priest with close ties to Pope Francis. The attack has drawn international condemnation and added to mounting criticism over civilian casualties in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Shelter Turns Into Target
The Catholic Holy Family Church, long considered a refuge for those fleeing the violence, was sheltering hundreds of civilians—both Muslims and Christians—when it was hit. Many of those inside were elderly, disabled, or children. According to Fadel Naem, acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, the church was acting as a critical safe zone.
Among those killed were a 60-year-old janitor and an 84-year-old woman receiving psychosocial support in a tent run by the Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem. Parish priest Father Romanelli sustained minor injuries. Eyewitness Shady Abu Dawood, whose mother was injured by shrapnel, called the strike "a brutal, unjustified action by the Israeli occupation."
Israel Regrets, But Blames Error
The Israeli military claimed that the church was mistakenly hit by shell fragments during operational activity. It emphasized that it only targets militants and makes efforts to avoid civilian casualties. Still, the military is facing intense scrutiny for repeated strikes on civilian areas, including schools, hospitals, and now religious sanctuaries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed “deep regret” over the incident, calling it the result of “stray ammunition.” Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly called Netanyahu directly to express his frustration over the attack.
Christian Sites No Longer Sacred?
This isn't the first time religious compounds have been damaged. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant affront to human dignity and religious sanctity.” Their Gaza-based church had also previously been struck.
The Holy Family Church, situated near Al-Ahli Hospital, had been under fire repeatedly over the past week. It was reportedly sheltering around 600 people, including 54 with disabilities. The damage to the structure was significant, leaving the displaced even more vulnerable.
More Civilian Sites Under Fire
Tragedy extended beyond the church. A separate airstrike hit two schools used as shelters in Al-Bureij refugee camp, killing one and injuring 17 others. The Israeli military did not comment on that incident.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 94 people were killed and 367 injured in Israeli strikes over a single 24-hour period. The cumulative death toll in Gaza has surpassed 58,600, with women and children accounting for more than half, according to the ministry. These figures are widely considered credible by international agencies, though they do not separate civilian and militant deaths.
Pope Francis’s Deep Connection to Gaza Church
The late Pope Francis had a personal connection with the Holy Family Church. He maintained near-daily contact with its parish in his final 18 months, often inquiring about those taking shelter there. The Pope had previously condemned Israel’s wartime conduct and supported investigations into alleged genocide—claims Israel strongly denies.
Only around 1,000 Christians remain in Gaza, most of them Greek Orthodox. Decades of war and hardship have driven many to emigrate. Local Christian leaders continue to raise alarms about attacks by Israeli settlers and extremist groups.
Pressure Mounts Amid Ceasefire Talks
Despite global outrage, efforts to negotiate a ceasefire remain stalled. Israel and Hamas have engaged in indirect talks, with little visible progress since the collapse of the last truce in March.
An Israeli official involved in negotiations said Israel has shown some flexibility, particularly regarding military corridors like the Morag Corridor in southern Gaza. However, sticking points persist—especially over which Palestinian prisoners would be freed and whether Israel will commit to ending the war.
Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack that sparked the war. Of the 251 hostages taken that day, 50 remain in captivity, with fewer than half believed to be alive.
A Crisis With No End in Sight
As the death toll rises and religious sanctuaries become battlegrounds, global pressure on Israel intensifies. The strike on Gaza’s Holy Family Church has not only claimed innocent lives but also shaken a deeply symbolic site of peace and unity.
With ceasefire talks dragging and humanitarian concerns growing, the region remains trapped in a devastating cycle of violence.
