A ‘stray ammunition’ reportedly hit the only Catholic church in Gaza this morning of July 17, killing three people and injuring several others.
The Holy Family Church in Gaza was hit by an Israeli tank at around 10:00 AM, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
This prompted negative reactions from some prominent world leaders and officers.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a known Israel supporter, said in a statement that military attacks on civilians are unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow in the aftermath and reiterated his appeal for an immediate ceasefire.
In a statement, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stressed that it was only an accident, and that the stray ammunition came from military exercises conducted near the church.
“Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful,” Office of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to social media.
The Israel Foreign Ministry also added that the Israel Defense Force will be investigating the incident and emphasized that Israel will never target churches or any religious sites.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 58 thousand Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died in the hands of Israeli military ever since the start of the war in 2023.