Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologised after an Israeli tank shell mistakenly hit Gaza’s only Catholic church, the Holy Family Church, killing three people. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the strike, which occurred Thursday morning, as the church was sheltering members of Gaza’s small Christian community.
Netanyahu’s office expressed deep regret, calling every innocent life lost “a tragedy,” and said Israel is investigating the incident while remaining committed to protecting civilians and holy sites.
Following the strike, Pope Leo received a call from Netanyahu, during which he emphasised the need to protect places of worship and renewed his call for a ceasefire. The Vatican highlighted the Pope’s concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, especially for children, the elderly, and the sick.
The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged the shell struck the church “mistakenly,” stating that an initial inquiry found that fragments from operational fire hit the church compound unintentionally. The cause is still under investigation.
