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Christian leaders make rare visit to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church kills 3
Archbishop Alexios of the Saint Porphyrius Church (C) receives Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa (3rd-R) and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III (4th-L) during their visit to the Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City on July 18, 2025. AFP
Clergy members from the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches have paid a visit to Gaza's only church after Israeli strikes hit the complex, killing three people.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa entered Gaza, a highly unusual move due to Israel's control over the region, with Theophilos III to bring aid to the victims of the airstrike as he and a Vatican official questioned Israeli explanations for the incident.
Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed 'the shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land and their concern for the community of Gaza.'
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Three people died and several were injured, including the parish priest, in the strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City a day earlier. Photos show its roof has been hit close to the main cross, scorching the stone facade and shattering windows.
Israel 'regrets' strike on church
Meanwhile, Israel has expressed 'regret' over Gaza's only Catholic church. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, 'Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy.'
'Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites,' the office added in a statement.
The church has sheltered hundreds of Palestinians since the start of Israel's military campaign against Hamas in the enclave in October 2023, following the group's deadly attack on Israel.
In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera daily, Pizzaballa said a Catholic presence would remain in Gaza 'whatever happens,' and he expressed doubts about Israel's explanation that the strike was a mistake.
'We are not a target. They say it was an error. Even if everybody here believes it wasn't,' said the cardinal, who is Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, the top Catholic authority in the region,' he said.
Pope Leo speaks to Netanyahu
Meanwhile, Netanyahu called Pope Leo on Friday following the country's attack on the Gaza church.
The Vatican, in a statement, said, 'During the meeting, the Holy Father renewed his appeals for renewed impetus to negotiations and for a ceasefire and an end to the war. He reiterated his concern for the dramatic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose excruciating price is being paid especially by children, the elderly, and the sick.'
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The pope also called for protecting places of worship and the people of Palestine and Israel.
With inputs from agencies
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