The toll from this morning’s airstrike, which hit the Catholic Holy Family Church in Gaza, has risen again. Sources from the Jerusalem Patriarchate confirmed to ANSA that one of the wounded has died, bringing the total fatalities to three. Approximately ten people were injured, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who suffered a leg wound.
According to ANSA sources close to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Israel reportedly justified the strike as a “shooting error.”
Israeli raids on Gaza also struck the Holy Family Church. Attacks against the civilian population, which Israel has demonstrated for months, are unacceptable. No military action can justify such conduct,” stated Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X: “The Israeli army’s attacks against the civilian population in Gaza are no longer admissible. This morning’s raid also hit the Holy Family Church in Gaza, a serious act against a Christian place of worship. My full support to Father Romanelli, wounded during the raid. It is time to stop and find peace.”
Pope Francis expressed deep sorrow upon learning of the loss of life and injuries caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza. In a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope assured spiritual closeness to the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, and the entire parish community, entrusting the souls of the deceased to God’s loving mercy. “The Pope renews his appeal for an immediate ceasefire and expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace in the Region,” the message continued.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, stated: “We always try to reach Gaza in every possible way, directly and indirectly. It is too early now to speak of all this; we must understand what happened, what must be done, especially to protect our people, naturally try to ensure these things do not happen again, and then we will see how to proceed, but certainly we will never leave them alone.”
Dozens of Palestinians were killed and wounded this morning during Israeli airstrikes on various areas of the Gaza Strip. Wafa’s correspondent reported a man, his wife, and their five children killed when Israeli warplanes targeted a house in Jabalia al-Balad, northern Gaza. In Gaza City’s al-Zeitoun neighborhood, four people were killed and others injured in a strike on a house near the Imam al-Shafi’i school. Another death and several injuries occurred in a raid on a building west of Gaza City. In the al-Nuseirat refugee camp, four Palestinians died in artillery shelling targeting a group of citizens near the Abu Odeh mill. Four more were killed and others wounded in an Israeli attack on a tent housing displaced people at the Abu Helou school in the al-Bureij camp. Another victim died in an attack on a gathering of citizens near the Bahloul gas station in Gaza City’s al-Nasr neighborhood.
During parliamentary voting declarations on motions regarding the Italy-Israel memorandum of understanding, Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte stated: “A technical error, we are sorry: this is not a message broadcast in one of our train stations, but it’s what the Israeli government said after killing 6 Palestinian children standing in line for a drop of water. It is a government that has lost its humanity, it’s called genocide. Nothing is spared, but then what has become of ‘our own sovereignists’? Humanity has been destroyed in Gaza. For months we have been asking Meloni, Salvini, and Tajani: how can you remain so indifferent? Your children and your consciences will ask you.”
“The government has mocked the country, no sanctions against the criminal government of Israel,” Conte continued. “We expected you to at least tear up this memorandum. No one here is an idiot; denouncing an agreement must be done immediately. How do you intend to continue importing weapons from Israel? This act makes you complicit in violating international law. The memorandum must be torn up. Meloni says she is a patriot, which has only one meaning: defending the values enshrined in our Constitution. Israel is trampling all rights, now even in Damascus, and the government continues to remain silent. But now the government goes further; you are accomplices of those sanctioning defenders of our Constitution’s values, and I refer to Francesca Albanese, a UN official doing her duty, reporting scrupulously and courageously what is happening. And what happens? She is persecuted and sanctions are threatened, just like against the ICC judges doing their duty. Meloni says nothing to defend an Italian citizen. We nominate Francesca Albanese for the Nobel Peace Prize.”