Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza is still standing
Father Gabriel Romanelli, Gaza’s only Catholic priest, celebrated Mass at the Holy Family Church yesterday, just one day after an Israeli airstrike hit the church compound, killing three and injuring several, including him.
On July 18, 2025, Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City—the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip—was photographed celebrating Mass inside the church.
This event followed yesterday's Israeli airstrike, which struck the church compound, killing three people and injuring several others, including Father Romanelli, who sustained light leg injuries. Despite initial reports on social media suggesting the church was destroyed, it was not, and the Mass took place as a testament to the resilience of the small Christian community in Gaza, which numbers around 600, including displaced families sheltering in the church compound.
Pope Leo XIV expressed profound grief, stating in a Vatican telegram, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church.” He offered prayers for the deceased, the injured, and the grieving community, renewing his call for an “immediate ceasefire” and urging dialogue for lasting peace in the region.
The IDF acknowledged the incident, stating it was “aware of reports of damage to the church and casualties” and is reviewing the circumstances. They described the strike as unintentional, noting that “fragments from a shell fired during operations likely hit the church mistakenly.” The IDF emphasized that it targets only military objectives and takes measures to avoid civilian harm, expressing regret for the unintended damage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the strike a “mistake,” saying, “Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit the church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy.” He affirmed Israel’s commitment to protecting civilians and holy sites while the investigation continues.
The Holy Family Church has been a sanctuary for hundreds of Christians and some Muslims, including children with disabilities, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Father Romanelli, a priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, has been a central figure in maintaining spiritual and humanitarian support despite the war's challenges. The church has reportedly faced multiple attacks since the conflict began in October 2023, with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemning the strikes as violations of international humanitarian law.