GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Two elderly Palestinians were killed and several others injured—including Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the “Holy Family Church”, on Thursday following an Israeli airstrike that targeted the church in eastern Gaza City.
Mouhammad Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, said, “Two martyrs passed away following the Israeli strike on the Holy Family Church. They had been in critical condition.”
The victims were identified as Saad Salama, around 60 years old, and Fumya Ayad, approximately 80, both killed by the direct hit on the church.
Basal added, “Today we bid farewell to two of our Christian brothers who did nothing wrong. The occupation makes no distinction, it targets Christians and Muslims alike, churches and mosques alike.”
He noted that the church had been sheltering about 400 displaced Christians who sought refuge there after their homes were destroyed during the ongoing war that has now lasted 22 months.
The displaced believed the church was a safe place, “but unfortunately, it was targeted by Israeli forces for the third time since the war began.”
Basal urged the international community and human rights organizations to “take immediate action to protect civilians,” asking in outrage, “Why are these people being killed? The world must take responsibility for protecting civilians.”
Earlier, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed in a press statement that the “Holy Family Church” had been attacked by Israeli forces, injuring several Palestinians including Father Romanelli.
The airstrike caused damage to the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, according to the Latin Patriarchate.
In response to the attack, Pope Leo XIV expressed his sorrow in a statement, saying he was “deeply saddened by the killing of two people in an attack on a Catholic church in Gaza,” and reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire.
The Israeli army had previously targeted the Holy Family Church, which shelters displaced people, causing significant damage. It also struck St. Porphyrius Church, one of the oldest churches in Gaza and the third oldest church in the world, resulting in deaths and injuries.
The church is considered one of the most important religious centers for Christians in Gaza, used for prayer and spiritual support for the Palestinian Christian community.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, backed by the United States, has been committing genocide in Gaza involving killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring international pleas and International Court of Justice orders to halt the violence. The genocide has resulted in more than 198,000 Palestinians killed or injured, mostly children and women, over 10,000 missing persons, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that has claimed countless lives.
