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Christian patriarchs make rare visit to Gaza after deadly Israeli strike on church
GAZA STRIP, JUL 17 – The Israeli military is investigating after a stray shell hit Gaza's only Catholic church, killing three and injuring nine, including the parish priest, amid ongoing conflict.
- On Friday, Christian leaders including Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Theophilos III made a rare visit to Gaza to show support following an Israeli strike that hit the territory’s sole Catholic church, resulting in three deaths and injuring ten others.
- The strike occurred on Thursday when an Israeli tank shell mistakenly hit the church compound sheltering Christians and Muslims, amid Israel's retaliatory offensive launched after Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack.
- Israel deeply regrets the incident and is investigating, while church leaders condemned the attack, calling for protection of religious sites, justice, peace, and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Israel's Gaza approach as 'no longer acceptable,' called for more humanitarian aid, and remains in contact with Prime Minister Netanyahu to increase support for Gaza’s people.
- The visit and statements highlight deep humanitarian concerns as the Gaza conflict has caused over 58,000 Palestinian deaths, with calls from religious and political leaders for an end to the war and protection of civilians.
402 Articles
402 Articles
Catholic and Orthodox Leaders Unite in Condemnation of Gaza Church Bombing
Catholic and Orthodox leaders visit Gaza’s Holy Family Church following a deadly Israeli airstrike. Credit: Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem In a powerful show of Christian unity, Catholic and Orthodox Christian leaders from the Middle East met on Friday to jointly condemn the recent Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza. The attack, which occurred last week, resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to s…
In the Gaza Strip, during an Israeli attack, the only Catholic church on the ground is destroyed. Netanyahu speaks of "by mistake," but the Vatican does not follow.
3 killed, 10 injured in Israeli strike on Catholic church in Gaza
The White House confirmed on Thursday that President Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a Catholic church in Gaza was hit by a shell in an Israeli strike. Church officials reported that three people were killed and 10 were wounded in the strike. During a Thursday press conference, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the president’s reaction to the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza being…
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