The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated July 23 that a misfired munition was responsible for the deadly July 17 strike on Holy Family Church, the only Catholic parish in Gaza City, The Times of Israel reported.
The strike, which left three civilians dead and several others including parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli wounded, occurred during an IDF operation in the Zeitoun neighborhood.
The IDF states that its Southern Command determined through a probe this week that the tank shell strike was unintentional and resulted from a munition that went off course during the operation, The Times of Israel reported.
In response to the strike, the IDF said it adjusted its targeting procedures during the operation and has now reinforced its guidelines for conducting military activity near religious and sensitive locations, according to The Times of Israel. The army also reported facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid — including food, medical supplies, and visits by Greek and Latin Patriarchate — and arranged for the evacuation of the wounded so they could receive medical care.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident in a statement posted on X immediately following the strike, reiterating that “Israel never targets churches or religious sites.”
Numerous Catholic leaders and advocacy groups responded after the strike as well. In Pope Leo XIV’s July 20 Angelus address, he lamented the “barbarism” of the war, praying by name for the three faithful who were killed. He appealed for peace, urging world leaders to respect humanitarian law and protect civilians and sacred places.
CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt issued a statement July 23 calling for prayers and solidarity with Gaza’s Christian community.
“Our Christian brothers and sisters are suffering in Gaza through no fault of their own,” she said. “They deserve our prayer and anything else we can do to alleviate their pain.”
Christians in Gaza need our help.
Pope Leo emphasized the “urgent need to provide assistance to those most vulnerable” in Gaza.
In response, CatholicVote has sponsored over 20,000 hot meals for Christians in Gaza who are in dire need.
Pray for an end to the conflict
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— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) July 23, 2025
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Author: Rachel Quackenbush
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