Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that his country “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition” struck Gaza’s only Catholic Church, resulting in the deaths of three individuals who were seeking shelter there.
“Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful,” he said in an official statement.
The incident occurred on Thursday when an Israeli strike impacted the Holy Family Church in Gaza City. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the parish, reported that several other individuals sustained injuries.
Pope Francis expressed his “deep sadness upon learning of the loss of life and injury” and reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s statement further indicated that Israel is “investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement later on Thursday, stating: “An 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 mistakenly hit the church. The cause of the incident is under review.”
“The IDF directs its strikes solely at military targets and makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and religious structures, and regrets any unintentional damage caused to them,” the statement added.
Earlier in the day, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt indicated that US President Joe Biden did not have a “positive reaction” to the attack on the church.
Biden reportedly spoke with Netanyahu on Thursday morning to discuss the incident. Leavitt cited Netanyahu as describing the attack as a “mistake” during the call.
The Patriarchate also noted that the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, was among those injured in the attack.
According to the Patriarchate’s statement, people sought “sanctuary” in the church, “hoping that the horrors of war might at least spare their lives after their homes, possessions, and dignity had already been stripped away.”
The statement concluded with a call for the “war must come to a complete end.”
The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR) has documented a significant increase in brutality regarding the killings that have gripped Suweida province.
Israel’s Prime Minister states that it “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit” the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City.
The deadly unrest, coupled with the violent Israeli strikes, has reignited fears of a security breakdown in Syria.
Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke after Israel stated it would destroy government forces it accused of attacking Druze in Syria.
Israel maintains it is “working to save our Druze brothers,” while Syria accuses it of “treacherous aggression.”