Israel says it 'deeply regrets' deaths at Gaza's only Catholic church

Israel has said it "deeply regrets" three deaths at Gaza's only Catholic church, adding that a "stray ammunition" hit the building.

A further nine people were injured in the incident at the Holy Family Church, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said earlier on Thursday.

Parish priest Father Gabriele Romanelli, an Argentinian who used to regularly update the late Pope Francis about the conflict in Gaza, was lightly injured.

A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said: "Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful.

"Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites."

The office also said it is "grateful to Pope Leo for his words of comfort" after the Catholic leader said he was "deeply saddened". The pope also called for an "immediate ceasefire" in a telegram for the victims.

He expressed his "profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region," according to the telegram, which was signed by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, told the Vatican News website that the church was shelled by a tank.

"What we know for sure is that a tank, the IDF says by mistake, but we are not sure about this, they hit the Church directly, the Church of the Holy Family, the Latin Church", he said.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said: "On behalf of the entire Church of the Holy Land, we extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and from here, we offer our prayers for the swift and full recovery of the wounded.

"The Latin Patriarchate strongly condemns this tragedy and this targeting of innocent civilians and of a sacred place.

"However, this tragedy is not greater or more terrible than the many others that have befallen Gaza."

The church was sheltering both Christians and Muslims, including a number of children with disabilities, according to Fadel Naem, acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the wounded.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said its "initial inquiry into reports regarding injured individuals in the Holy Family Church in Gaza City suggests that fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly".

"The cause of the incident is under review," the statement added.

"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's foreign ministry said in a statement on X that the results of the investigation would be published.

It also said the country did not target churches or religious sites and regretted harm to them or civilians.

The previous pope, Francis, spoke almost daily with the Gaza church. In the last 18 months of his life, Francis would often call the church to see how people huddled inside were coping with a devastating war.

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At least 20 more people were killed on Thursday by Israeli attacks across the besieged territory, medics said.

Throughout the 21-month war, more than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's military campaign, according to Gaza's health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

Israel launched a retaliatory campaign against Hamas following the militant group's 7 October 2023 attacks, during which 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

(c) Sky News 2025: Israel says it 'deeply regrets' deaths at Gaza's only Catholic church