Israeli attack on church in Gaza injures priest Pope Francis called daily - Italian PM condemns strike

[Celerity]

on territory’s only Catholic church that injured clergy and children

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/israeli-attack-on-church-in-gaza-injures-priest-pope-francis-called-daily



Israeli strikes have hit the only Catholic church in Gaza, injuring several people including the parish priest – who used to receive daily calls from the late Pope Francis – and drawing condemnation from the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. “The Holy Family church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning,” the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement. “There are several injuries in the place, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. Currently there are no fatalities confirmed. The church sustained damage.”

Before his death in April, the former pope would call Romanelli, an Argentinian, every evening to discuss the war in Gaza. He began the routine on 9 October 2023, two days after the attacks on Israel by Hamas, as a way to express solidarity during the conflict. Witnesses said the church appeared have been hit by Israeli tank shelling. The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Israel Defense Forces said they were looking into the matter.

In a statement, Meloni said: “The Israeli raids on Gaza have also hit the Holy Family church. The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude.” The church was sheltering Christians and Muslims, including a number of children with disabilities, according to Fadel Naem, acting director of al-Ahli Arab hospital, which received the wounded. At least two people were left in a critical condition, Naem said, and among the others injured were a child with disabilities, two women and an elderly person.

Dozens of Palestinians were killed and wounded during Israeli airstrikes on several areas of the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including four who were killed in an attack on a home close to the Imam al’Shafi’i school in al-Zeitoun, a district south-east of Gaza City. After Francis’s death, Romanelli, who has served as the parish priest since 2019, told the Guardian: “Even after he was hospitalised, he continued calling to check on us. Our grief is deep because we lost someone we felt had become a member of our church.”

snip

[Bluestocking]

1. Why didn't you include this part of the article

The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them,” its statement added.

[Celerity]

2. because I post linearly, I am not going to post the entire article, and BTW, that IDF statement is pure bollocks

[uponit7771]

3. People know BBs IDF doesn't GAF, at all

[lapucelle]

6. The story at the link does not match the text quoted.

Here's the headline, subhead, and the first four paragraphs:

Israeli strike on Gaza church kills two and injures priest Pope Francis called daily
Pope Leo renews ceasefire call after strike on territory’s only Catholic church injures children and clergy

An Israeli strike has hit the only Catholic church in Gaza, killing two people and injuring several others including the parish priest, who used to receive daily calls from the late Pope Francis.

“Two persons were killed as a result of an apparent strike by the Israeli army that hit the Holy Family compound this morning,” the Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement.

Before his death in April, the former pope would call Gabriel Romanelli, an Argentinian, every evening to discuss the war in Gaza. He began the routine on 9 October 2023, two days after the attacks on Israel by Hamas, as a way to express solidarity during the conflict.

Reuters footage from the hospital showed Romanelli to be lightly injured, with a bandaged left leg but able to walk.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/israeli-attack-on-church-in-gaza-injures-priest-pope-francis-called-daily

[David__77]

7. The "regretful" church killings.

[AloeVera]

8. How do you "accidentally" hit a church?

Btw have you looked at Gaza lately?

The IDF statement is utter bullshit and offensive to every thinking person not blinded by ideology or otherwise lobotomized.

[Jit423]

4. It is time for a clean break with Israel. They are not our friends. They are Trump's friends!

That is all.

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. The US will never do that

as long as the orange slime and the Talibangelicals are in charge. Gotta get some people with some SENSE in there. And even if we get Democrats, chances are only 50/50.

[AloeVera]

9. Not if the Democrats in future listen to their base.

A vast majoriry of democrats now sympathize with Palestinians, not Israel. Something like three-quarters, as I recall.

On edit:
59% of Democrats are more sympathetic towards Palestinians than Israelis. 76% support a Palestinian state.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/657404/less-half-sympathetic-toward-israelis.aspx