Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly apologised following a deadly strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church — the Holy Family Church — which left three people dead and several others injured.
The attack took place on Thursday morning, amid the ongoing conflict in the region. According to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, an Israeli shell hit the church compound, a site where many Christian families had been sheltering since the war began. The incident quickly drew international outrage.
“Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy,” stated Netanyahu’s office, confirming an investigation is underway.
But the apology came only after sharp criticism from former President Donald Trump, who reportedly confronted Netanyahu directly over the incident.
“It was not a positive reaction,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt during Thursday’s press briefing.
Trump “called Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning to address the strikes on that church in Gaza and I understand the prime minister agreed to put out a statement,” she added.
Netanyahu, in that call, reportedly acknowledged the attack was “a mistake by the Israelis.”
The strike appears to have fractured some of Israel’s long-standing international alliances. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — typically a staunch ally — branded the assault on civilians as “unacceptable.” Her statement marked a rare rebuke from a supporter of Israel’s military campaign.
Even the Vatican joined the chorus of condemnation. Pope Leo XIV said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack” and renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire.
The injured included the church’s own priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, known for having received regular phone calls from the late Pope Francis throughout the conflict.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa voiced serious doubts about the nature of the strike, suggesting it might not have been accidental.
“What we know for sure is that a tank, the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] says by mistake, but we are not sure about this. They hit the church directly,” he told Vatican media.
Gaza’s Christian community is small and increasingly vulnerable. Most have taken refuge inside religious institutions like the Holy Family Church, seen as safe zones amid the violence. This latest strike has shattered that illusion.
The broader picture remains grim. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports nearly 60,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the war began, with thousands more wounded or displaced.
Israel launched its campaign in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack, but critics now question whether the response has gone too far — particularly when religious sanctuaries are no longer spared.
The world watches closely. A ceasefire, long demanded by many, seems more urgent than ever.
