The Civil Defense in Gaza and the Latin patriarchy of Jerusalem reported that two people killed by an Israeli strike in the church of Sainte-Famille in Gaza, this Thursday, July 17.
• At least two dead and injured
“Two citizens of the Christian community were killed as a result of the injuries suffered during an Israeli shot against the Latin monastery church in the old town, it is the city of Gaza this morning,” the France-Presse (AFP) agency (AFP) (the civil defense said, Mahmoud Bassal this Thursday.
The Latin patriarchy of Jerusalem, who confirmed the two deaths, said that “the church of the Sainte-Famille in Gaza was beaten by a raid this morning.”
The ANSA news agency said that two dead and several injured in the attack. AFP images also report wounds, including Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Church.
• The only Catholic Church in Gaza
The Church of Sainte-Famille, located in Gaza-Ville, in the north of the territory, is the only Catholic Church in the Palestinian territory and has served as a shelter since the beginning of the war for this small community.
This church had contacted the contacts, since the beginning of the war, with former Pope Francis, who died in April, who regularly spoke for the video connection with Father Gabriel Romanelli, and had released repeated calls to end the conflict.
• Tsahal does not claim to point to “intentionally”
The Israeli army says that it is “aware of the information about the damage suffered by the Catholic Church of the Sagrada Familia in Gaza” and expressed its “deep pain” for the damage and civil victims, and added that the army was investigating.
“In an extremely complex operational environment, we continue to do our best to avoid hurting people who do not participate,” Tsahal wrote in a press release, ensuring that “he never intentionally addresses religious or civil sites” and “regrets any damage to a religious site or non -invited civilians.”
The Ministry of Health of the Gaza Strip, whose data is considered reliable by the UN, indicates that almost 58,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed by Israeli attacks.
• International convictions
This strike caused several international convictions, including that of Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister, who denounced “unacceptable” acts.
“The Israeli incursions in Gaza also affected the Church of the Sagrada Familia. The attacks against the civilian population carried out by Israel for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude,” he wrote in a statement.
Pope Leo XIV said he was “deeply sad for (…) the military attack against the Catholic Church of the Sagrada Familia in Gaza”, not to mention Israel. “His holiness renews his call to a high immediate fire,” said a condolences telegram published by the Vatican and signed by number two of the Holy See, Cardinal Italian Pietro Parolin.
In France, Marine Le Pen (RN) also denounced the attack. The deputy for the party very well argues that “Israeli incursions […] They are not acceptable. “
Add: “In the legitimate struggle that Israel leads to the eradication of the Islamists of Hamas, the civilian population and Christian religious minorities must be protected in the light of international law. Porter This voice is the role of France.”
Source: BFM TV
