Israeli raid hits Catholic Church in Gaza, Italian leader says, with several wounded including priest
"No military action can justify such behavior," the Italian leader said on social media.
The Israel Defense Forces said it was "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 military said in the statement, which it shared on social media.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the church in Gaza, said in a statement that several people were injured in "a raid" on the Holy Family Church, including the Parish Priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.
"Currently there are no fatalities confirmed," the patriarchate said, but "the Church sustained damage."
CBS News' team in Gaza saw Romanelli being brought to the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City. He appeared to have sustained an injury to his right leg.
The Italian Catholic news agency SIR reported that six people were injured, two of whom it said were in critical condition. It said the parish had been housing around 500 displaced Christians, but Fadel Naem, the acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, told The Associated Press there were both Christians and Muslims sheltering at the church, including a number of children with disabilities.
The late Pope Francis would regularly call Father Romanelli to check in with him and the people staying in the church during the war in Gaza. In his final public appearance, one day before his death, Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as well as the release of Israeli hostages.
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