Overview

• An Israeli shell struck Gaza City’s Holy Family Church on July 17, killing three people and wounding ten others, including parish priest Father Gabriele Romanelli.
• The Israel Defense Forces has launched a formal review of the incident and issued a rare statement of regret over damage to the religious site.
• Pope Leo XIV condemned the attack in a telegram, offered condolences to the bereaved families and renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeled the strike on civilians unacceptable while Israel’s Foreign Ministry publicly expressed sorrow for harm to a church.
• On July 18, the Latin and Greek Orthodox patriarchs visited the damaged compound to show solidarity, deliver humanitarian aid and underscore the vulnerability of protected holy sites.