Pope Leo XIV has expressed profound sorrow following an Israeli strike that resulted in the deaths of two individuals at the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in Gaza. In a telegram from the Vatican on November 30, 2023, the Pope referred to the incident as a “military attack.” The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, conveyed the Holy Father’s condolences, stating, “In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, the Holy Father prays for the consolation of those who grieve and for the recovery of the injured.”
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that the victims were identified as Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh and Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad. Several others sustained injuries during the attack, which occurred on Thursday morning. The Israeli military acknowledged the incident, stating it was “aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene,” adding that “the circumstances of the incident are under review.”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized their commitment to minimizing harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites. They expressed regret for any damage caused.
Details of the Incident
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, informed Vatican News that the church was directly hit by a tank. The parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who has served in Gaza for nearly three decades, was among those injured. Images verified by CNN showed significant damage to the church, which serves as a refuge for the Christian community in Gaza. Notably, the crucifix atop the church remained intact.
This is not the first time the church has come under fire. In December 2023, an Israeli military sniper fatally shot two women who were seeking shelter inside, according to the Latin Patriarchate. The Holy Family Church has a historical connection to the late Pope Francis, who maintained frequent contact with the parish throughout the ongoing conflict.
Before the escalation of violence on October 7, 2023, it was estimated that around 1,000 Christians resided in Gaza, a region predominantly inhabited by Muslims.
Ceasefire Efforts Underway
As discussions for a ceasefire continue, Palestinian officials report that over 58,000 people have died in the ongoing conflict. Negotiations are reportedly gaining momentum, with Israel potentially showing flexibility regarding the withdrawal of troops from the Morag Corridor, a significant security zone in southern Gaza. A source familiar with the negotiations indicated that this flexibility could be crucial in reaching an agreement.
The Morag Corridor, established by Israeli forces in April, was intended to divide Gaza and increase pressure on Hamas. The corridor’s name refers to the former Jewish settlement that existed between the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah.
Despite optimistic statements from U.S. officials about the likelihood of a quick resolution following a recent agreement that ended a brief conflict between Israel and Iran, progress in the ceasefire discussions has been slow.
This situation remains fluid, and further updates are anticipated as negotiations continue.
