Obvious Israeli raid hits Catholic Church in Gaza, reportedly killing a minimum of 2 individuals and wounding priest

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the Catholic Church of the Holy Household in Gaza Metropolis, stated Thursday that a number of individuals have been injured in “a raid” on the church, together with the Parish Priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. The patriarchate later stated two individuals have been killed within the incident.

“With deep sorrow the Latin Patriarchate can now affirm that two individuals have been killed because of an obvious strike by the Israeli military that hit the Holy Household Compound this morning,” the patriarchate stated in an announcement. “We pray for the remainder of their souls and for the tip of this barbaric conflict. Nothing can justify the focusing on of harmless civilians.”

In an announcement supplied by the Church in Rome, Pope Leo XIV stated he was “deeply saddened to be taught of the lack of life and damage brought on by the navy assault” on the church, including a renewal of his “name for a right away ceasefire.”

Earlier on Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated “Israeli raids on Gaza” had hit the Church of the Holy Household, condemning “the assaults in opposition to the civilian inhabitants that Israel has been finishing up for months” as unacceptable. 

“No navy motion can justify such habits,” the Italian chief stated on social media.

The Israel Protection Forces stated it was “conscious of stories relating to harm brought about to the Holy Household Church in Gaza Metropolis and casualties on the scene. The circumstances of the incident are underneath assessment.”

“The IDF makes each possible effort to mitigate hurt to civilians and civilian constructions, together with spiritual websites, and regrets any harm brought about to them,” the navy stated within the assertion, which it shared on social media.

Israel’s International Ministry stated in an announcement that “Israel expresses deep sorrow over the harm to the Holy Household Church in Gaza Metropolis and over any civilian casualty,” and stated the results of the IDF’s investigation can be “printed transparently.”

“Israel by no means targets church buildings or spiritual websites and regrets any hurt to a non secular website or to uninvolved civilians,” the international ministry stated.

Earlier Thursday, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem stated a number of individuals have been injured within the strike, together with Father Gabriel Romanelli, the Parish Priest of the church, and that “the Church sustained harm.”

CBS Information’ staff in Gaza noticed Romanelli being dropped at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza Metropolis. He appeared to have sustained an damage to his proper leg.

The Italian Catholic information company SIR reported earlier that six individuals have been injured on the church, two of whom it stated have been in vital situation.

It stated the parish had been housing round 500 displaced Christians, however Fadel Naem, the performing director of Al-Ahli Hospital, instructed The Related Press there have been each Christians and Muslims sheltering on the church, together with numerous kids with disabilities.

The late Pope Francis would repeatedly name Romanelli to examine in with him and the individuals staying within the church in the course of the conflict in Gaza. In his last public look, sooner or later earlier than his dying, Francis known as for a right away ceasefire in Gaza in addition to the discharge of Israeli hostages.