Strike Hits Gaza’s Only Catholic Church, Parish Priest Injured in Holy Family Attack

Last Updated Jul - 17 - 2025, 06:21 PM | Source : Fela News

The Holy Family Church in northern Gaza was damaged in a suspected Israeli tank strike, injuring parish priest Fr Gabriel Romanelli. The church has served as a

Strike Hits Gaza’s Only Catholic Church

Strikes on the Holy Family Church in northern Gaza on Thursday morning (July 17, 2025) left several people injured, including parish priest Fr Gabriel Romanelli, Catholic Church officials reported.

Witnesses claimed the damage was caused by an Israeli tank shell, although the Israeli military has not yet issued a statement on the incident.

Fr Romanelli, who shared a close relationship with the late Pope Francis, frequently communicated with him during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, was regularly contacted by Francis in the final months of his life to check on the well-being of those sheltering inside.

The war was triggered by Hamas' cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, during which militants killed around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and kidnapped 251 individuals. While many of those hostages have since been freed through ceasefire deals and negotiations, about 50 remain captive, with fewer than half believed to be alive.

Israel's subsequent military response has claimed the lives of more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to figures from Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry, overseen by the Hamas-run government but staffed by medical professionals, states that women and children make up more than half of the casualties. While it does not separate civilian and militant deaths, the United Nations and other international bodies regard its casualty data as the most credible.