Wounded Palestinians, including Father Jebrail Romanelli, at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.
Share this @internewscast.com

Two people have died, and eight others, including a parish priest who had a direct connection with The Pope, have been injured in what is the first Israeli attack on a Catholic church in Gaza.

The attack damaged the famous Holy Family Church which the late Pope Francis was in touch with almost daily up to his death earlier this year.

Wounded Palestinians, including Father Jebrail Romanelli, at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.
Father Jebrail Romanelli at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital after an Israeli attackCredit: Getty
Wounded Palestinians, including Father Jebrail Romanelli, being escorted to a hospital after an attack.
Father Romanelli was among those injured in the Israeli strikeCredit: Getty
Wounded Palestinians receiving medical treatment in a field hospital.
Wounded Palestinians being treated after the strikeCredit: Getty
People gathered outside a stone church.
Palestinians stand outside after attending mass for late Pope Francis at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City on April 21, 2025Credit: AFP

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem stated: “Two individuals lost their lives due to a presumed strike by the Israeli forces that impacted the Holy Family Compound earlier today.”

Parish priest Father Gabriele Romanelli, who frequently updated Pope Francis, sustained leg injuries amidst the explosions that shook Gaza’s small Catholic district.

The strike sparked fury as the toll of civilian casualties continued to spiral, as Israel Defence Forces stepped up the onslaught in the besieged Hamas-run enclave.

Pope Leo XIV said he was “deeply saddened” by Gaza church attack.

The Holy Family Church in Gaza spoke in a separate statement of “a number of injured, some in critical condition.”

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said it was “aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene.

“The circumstances of the incident are under review.

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

The Holy Family Church in Gaza spoke in a separate statement of “a number of injured, some in critical condition.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: “Israeli raids on Gaza also hit the Holy Family Church.

Hamas agrees to release 10 hostages as terror group issues ceasefire red lines after Trump pressured Israel to end war

“The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify Israel‘s actions.”

Since the early days of the war, which erupted in October 2023, members of the Catholic community have been sheltering at the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City.

Some Orthodox Christians have also found refuge there.

Only 1,000 Christians live in Gaza, an overwhelmingly Muslim territory, according to the US State Department’s international religious freedom report for 2024.

Pope Francis repeatedly called for an end to the war.

In his final Easter message, a day before his death on April 21, he condemned the “deplorable humanitarian situation” in the Palestinian territory.

It comes after Hamas said it will release 10 hostages amid ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire deal for war-torn Gaza.

The Islamist terror group’s statement came after four days of indirect talks brokered by Qatar in a bid to bring peace for the distraught Gazans.

Smoke plume over a war-torn city.
Smoke rising from Israeli bombardment in Beit Lahia on July 9Credit: AFP
Pope Leo XIV smiling at a microphone.
Pope Leo XIV said he was ‘deeply saddened’Credit: Getty

Both Hamas and Israel have spoken positively about the prospects, but there are reportedly a number of crucial sticking points

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long argued that Hamas must be completely disarmed and expelled from Gaza.

In turn, Hamas wants guarantees that the war would not resume after any ceasefire – as happened earlier this year.

It comes just days after President Donald Trump signalled his belief that an agreement for a 60-day truce would be struck before the end of the week.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said part of the deal would be the return of 10 living hostages held by militants since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which sparked the war.

Of 251 hostages seized during the assault on Israeli border communities near Gaza, 49 are still held in the territory, including 27, the Israeli military says are dead.

In its statement, Hamas said while key hurdles remained in the peace talks, they were ready to be flexible.

Explosions and fires in a war-torn town at night.
Flames rise in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza borderCredit: Reuters
Soldiers patrolling a war-torn area.
Israeli soldiers take up positions during a ground operation in the southern Gaza StripCredit: AP
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco married in private wedding ceremony, couple announces on social media

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Tie the Knot in Secret Wedding, Share News on Social Media

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco have tied the knot. The renowned couple,…
George Hardy, decorated Tuskegee Airman who served in 3 wars, dies at 100

George Hardy, Renowned Tuskegee Airman and Veteran of Three Wars, Passes Away at 100

Lt. Col. George Hardy, one of the last surviving members of the…
Mormon church shooting: Multiple people shot at Mormon church in Michigan and the shooter is down, Grand Blanc police say

Shooting Incident at Mormon Church in Michigan: Several Injured, Suspect Neutralized, Reports Grand Blanc Police

GRAND BLANC, Mich. — Multiple people have been shot at a Mormon…
FBI’s New York boss puts gangs on notice in AOC’s crime-riddled 'red-light' district

FBI New York Chief Targets Gangs in AOC’s Crime-Plagued District

NEW YORK – “Due to organized crime, our city has transformed into…
Suspect in NC restaurant shooting identified, charged with murder after 3 killed, at least 5 wounded

NC Restaurant Shooter Identified; Faces Murder Charges with 3 Dead, 5 Injured

A suspect was charged following a shooting by a gunman from a…
Russell M. Nelson, oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies

Russell M. Nelson, the longest-living president in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passes away.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of…
Kilmar Abrego Garcia transferred to Pennsylvania detention facility

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Moved to Pennsylvania Detention Center

In Nashville, Tennessee, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, previously deported from the U.S. to…
Sara Jane Moore death: Woman who tried to assassinate President Gerald Ford in San Francisco, California in 1975 dies at 95

Sara Jane Moore, Who Attempted to Assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, Passes Away at 95

Sara Jane Moore, who spent over three decades in prison for attempting…
DOJ Announces Charges Against Activists Who Allegedly Doxxed an ICE Agent After Following Him Home

The DOJ Reveals Charges Against Activists Accused of Revealing ICE Agent’s Personal Information After Tracking Him Home

Amid the bustling news surrounding James Comey and the two-count indictment against…
Ukraine destroys dozens of Russian warplanes with drone attack deep inside Russia

Zelenskyy Warns Kremlin Leaders: ‘Be Aware of Bomb Shelter Locations’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned leaders in Moscow that they should familiarize…
Officials place Des Moines schools leader on leave after his arrest by immigration agents

Des Moines School Superintendent Suspended Following Arrest by Immigration Authorities

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A day after federal immigration agents apprehended…
Humberto strengthens to Category 4, threatens US coast

Humberto Intensifies to Category 4, Poses Threat to US Coastline

Forecasters urged people in the Bahamas and along the southeastern coast of…