7/21/2025 Gaza Strip (International Christian Concern) — On July 17, Holy Family Catholic Church — the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip — was hit with an Israeli shell, killing three people and wounding at least 10 more. 

The 60-year-old janitor of the church was killed in the strike, along with an 84-year-old woman who was receiving medical support. Among the wounded was Parish Priest Gabriel Romanelli. The church building was also damaged. 

About 600 Palestinian people, both Christian and Muslim, had been taking shelter in the compound during the 21 months of war, and 54 of those housed in the compound were people with disabilities. 

“We were struck in the church while all the people there were elders, innocent people, and children,” said Shady Abu Dawood, whose mother was wounded in the airstrike.  

In the last few months of his life, Pope Francis kept in close contact with the Holy Family Catholic Church.  

Following the attack, Pope Leo called for an immediate ceasefire, saying that he hopes for “dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region,” and that he is “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack.″  

Many Christians have left the region in recent years due to wars and conflicts. According to the U.S. Department of State’s international religious freedom report from 2024, at most, 1,000 Christians live in Gaza. 

“Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “Every innocent life lost is a tragedy.” He added that Israel is investigating the incident.  

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