The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported in a brief statement the attack on the Holy Family parish, the only Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip, in which seven people were wounded, including two elderly people.
The communiqué stresses that "for the moment there is no confirmation of casualties", but only of injuries.
According to initial reports, an Israeli tank fired at the church, which serves the approximately 500 Christians remaining in Gaza. The army points to a "shooting error" in which also the parish priest, Gabriel Romanelli, suffered a minor leg wound, but was able to attend to the more seriously wounded before being treated and discharged from the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist hospital.
Pope Leo XIV's request for peace
This attack on the only Catholic church in the Strip adds to the untenable situation of the community.
Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to the Catholic community in the area, emphasizing his "profound sadness" over the attack and assuring them of his prayers for "the consolation of those who mourn and for the recovery of the wounded."
The pontiff made an "appeal for an immediate ceasefire", as he has been doing since his election, with "hope for dialogue, reconciliation and lasting peace in the region".
