This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/621631-israel-attacks-catholic-church/
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Israel attacks Catholic church in Gaza – Vatican | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged that the IDF struck the Holy Family Church, blaming the incident on “stray ammunition” | Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged that the IDF struck the Holy Family Church, blaming the incident on “stray ammunition” |
| The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has shelled the only Catholic church in Gaza, reportedly killing three people and injuring several more, prompting Pope Leo XIV to send a telegram to the parish expressing his condolences. West Jerusalem has acknowledged the deadly incident, attributing it to “stray ammunition.” | The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has shelled the only Catholic church in Gaza, reportedly killing three people and injuring several more, prompting Pope Leo XIV to send a telegram to the parish expressing his condolences. West Jerusalem has acknowledged the deadly incident, attributing it to “stray ammunition.” |
| Israel has already drawn international censure for the destruction left by its conflict with Hamas and other militant groups in the Palestinain enclave, which has left 92% of homes there damaged or destroyed, according to a May, 2025 UNRWA statement. | Israel has already drawn international censure for the destruction left by its conflict with Hamas and other militant groups in the Palestinain enclave, which has left 92% of homes there damaged or destroyed, according to a May, 2025 UNRWA statement. |
| Pope Leo XIV said in a telegram sent by church officials that he was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack.” | Pope Leo XIV said in a telegram sent by church officials that he was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack.” |
| He called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, as quoted by the Vatican News. In a statement on Thursday, the Catholic charity Caritas Internationalis said that the church served as a shelter for displaced civilians, “who were simply trying to survive.” | He called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, as quoted by the Vatican News. In a statement on Thursday, the Catholic charity Caritas Internationalis said that the church served as a shelter for displaced civilians, “who were simply trying to survive.” |
| The organization called for an end to “attacks on civilians, especially those seeking refuge in churches, other places of worship and clearly marked humanitarian spaces.” | The organization called for an end to “attacks on civilians, especially those seeking refuge in churches, other places of worship and clearly marked humanitarian spaces.” |
| The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement, quoting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that Israel “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church.” | The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement, quoting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that Israel “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church.” |
| The diplomats noted that the incident is being investigated, with Israel being supposedly “committed to protecting civilians and holy sites.” | The diplomats noted that the incident is being investigated, with Israel being supposedly “committed to protecting civilians and holy sites.” |
| The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, told the Vatican News website that the Holy Family Church was “directly” hit by a tank shell. | The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, told the Vatican News website that the Holy Family Church was “directly” hit by a tank shell. |
| In a post on its Telegram channel, Hamas slammed the Israeli attack as a “new crime committed against places of worship and innocent displaced persons.” | In a post on its Telegram channel, Hamas slammed the Israeli attack as a “new crime committed against places of worship and innocent displaced persons.” |
| Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday alone killed at least 32 Palestinians, Al Jazeera wrote, citing local medical sources. | Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday alone killed at least 32 Palestinians, Al Jazeera wrote, citing local medical sources. |
| In October 2023, just days after the conflict broke out, the Israeli army similarly bombed the Church of Saint Porphyrius, killing at least 18 people. | In October 2023, just days after the conflict broke out, the Israeli army similarly bombed the Church of Saint Porphyrius, killing at least 18 people. |