Pope ‘deeply saddened' after two people killed in strike on Gaza's only Catholic church
Calling the strike a 'military attack,' the Vatican's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said: 'In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, the Holy Father prays for the consolation of those who grieve and for the recovery of the injured.'
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which has jurisdiction for Latin-rite Catholics in Gaza, said the two people were killed after Gaza's Holy Family Church was struck by Israel on Thursday morning.
'With deep sorrow, the Latin Patriarchate can now confirm that 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 Israeli military said it was 'aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene,' adding that 'the circumstances of the incident are under review.'
'The (Israel Defense Forces) makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them,' it said.
The two killed were named as Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh and Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, the patriarchate said.
'We pray for the rest of their souls and for the end of this barbaric war. Nothing can justify the targeting of innocent civilians,' its statement read.
Funerals for both of the deceased will take place at Gaza City's Saint Porphyrios Orthodox Church on Thursday afternoon, the church said in a post on Facebook.
'His Holiness renews his call for an immediate ceasefire, and he expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region,' Pope Leo's telegram continued.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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