An apparent Israeli strike on Gaza's sole Catholic Church killed two people and injured several, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on Thursday (July 17).

"Two persons were killed as a result of an apparent strike by the Israeli army that hit the Holy Family Compound this morning," the Patriarchate said in a statement.

The Holy Family Church in Gaza spoke in a separate statement of "a number of injured, some in critical condition."

In a telegram for the victims, Pope Leo said he was "deeply saddened" and called for "an immediate ceasefire."

The pope expressed his "profound hope for dialog, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region," according to the telegram which was signed by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said they were "aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene. The circumstances of the incident are under review."

"The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them," the statement added.

Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement on X that the results of the investigation would be published. It also said the country did not target churches or religious sites and regretted harm to them or civilians.

The Patriarchate earlier said the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, was among those injured, and his church had sustained damage.

Father Romanelli, an Argentine, used to regularly update the late Pope Francis about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict via calls and messages. Reuters footage from the hospital showed him to be lightly injured, with a bandaged left leg but able to walk.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed Israel for the strike on the religious compound.

"The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude," she said in a statement.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

GAZA CITY, GAZA (JULY 17, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. PEOPLE WALKING AND STANDING BY AL-AHLI BAPTIST HOSPITAL EXTERIOR

2. PEOPLE, WOUNDED INDIVIDUALS, MEDICAL STAFF INSIDE HOSPITAL TENT

3. HEALTH MONITOR

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DISPLACED GAZAN, SHADI SUHAIL, 57 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

“We are displaced and currently taking shelter in the Latin Church (referring to the al-Ahli Baptist Church) located in the old City. This morning, we were surprised by a strike on the church, a tank shell. Of course there were elderly are here, innocent civilians. My mother was wounded by shrapnel in her head. This attack is completely unjustified.”

5. INJURED MAN ON HOSPITAL BED

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DISPLACED GAZAN, SHADI SUHAIL, 57 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

“We always call for love, peace, and peaceful coexistence among all people. But what happened is an unjustified criminal act by the occupation. We call on the international community, the free people of the world, human rights organizations to intervene and stop the massacre being committed against the Palestinian people.”

7. DEAD BODY BEING PUSHED ON HOSPITAL STRETCHER

8. OXYGEN TANK

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) GAZAN, FOUAD AYAD, SAYING:

“For more than three weeks, we've been under constant bombing and destruction. The Israeli occupation makes no distinction between Christians and Muslims. Now, both mosques and churches are being targeted. Christians and Muslims alike are under attack. This is the enemy the Israeli occupation. This is what they now consider their "target bank": houses of worship, without differentiating between Christian or Muslim sites.”

10. PEOPLE AND MEDICAL STAFF AROUND BODY IN WHITE SHROUDED

11. MAN WRITING NAME ON WHITE SHROUDED

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CIVIL DEFENCE SPOKESMAN, MAHMOUD BASAL, SAYING:

“(They) were martyred due to this strike that targeted the Latin Church (referring to the al-Ahli Baptist Church). As civil defence workers, we continue to appeal to the world and to all international organizations to protect civilians in Gaza. Among the victims were martyrs Saied and Fomia, who lost their lives in this attack. We ask the world: why were they killed? They were civilians. It is the duty of the world to protect them and all civilians in Gaza. Our message is a humanitarian one. Today, we bid farewell to two of our Christian brothers killed for no reason.”

13. PEOPLE CARRYING SHROUDED BODY TO AMBULANCE

14. PEOPLE AROUND AMBULANCE AT HOSPITAL YARD

15. AL-AHLI BAPTIST HOSPITAL EXTERIOR