Overview

• On July 17, an artillery round from an Israeli armored vehicle struck Gaza City’s Church of the Holy Family, killing two civilians and damaging its compound.
• The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed eleven people were wounded, including Father Gabriel Romanelli, who suffered a minor leg injury.
• Israel has described the incident as a “misfire” and launched an internal review of its armored units’ artillery procedures.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Vatican leaders denounced the attack as an unacceptable violation of a protected religious site.
• The Church of the Holy Family serves roughly 135 Catholics in Gaza by providing shelter, education and orphan care during ongoing hostilities.