Latest news with #ChurchAttack
UAE Moments
4 days ago
- Politics
- UAE Moments
Christian Leaders Visit Gaza After Israeli Attack on Church
Two senior Christian leaders—the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III entered Gaza on July 18, in a rare show of solidarity following a devastating Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church, Gaza's only Catholic place of worship. The strike, which occurred on July 17, tragically killed three civilians and injured the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, among others. The church also sustained extensive damage while providing shelter to hundreds, including children and those with disabilities. Israel's government expressed regret, describing the incident as the result of 'stray ammunition' and pledged an investigation; Prime Minister Netanyahu stated he 'deeply regrets' the strike. U.S. President Donald Trump also contacted Netanyahu, relaying that the White House 'was not happy' with the incident. During their visit, Patriarchs Pizzaballa and Theophilos III met with Gaza's Christian community to deliver condolences and distribute hundreds of tonnes of food, first-aid kits, medical supplies, and to support the evacuation of the wounded. Latin Patriarchate emphasized the delegation's mission to assess 'humanitarian and pastoral needs' in the enclave. Global religious voices responded strongly. Pope Leo XIV, who succeeded Pope Francis in May, issued a call for an immediate ceasefire, expressing deep sorrow over the fatal attack. He reaffirmed hopes for dialogue, reconciliation and lasting peace. Meanwhile, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the strike as 'unacceptable,' and France joined in denouncing the loss of civilian life. This mission highlights the fragile state of Gaza's tiny Christian community—approximately 1,000 Christians, of whom only around 135 are Catholic, amid a conflict that has already damaged or destroyed numerous religious sites, including other churches and mosques.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Catholic and Greek Orthodox leaders enter Gaza in rare solidarity visit after Israel's church strike
In this Dec. 24, 2018, file photo, Christians celebrate the arrival of Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, centre, after he crossed an Israeli military checkpoint from Jerusalem ahead of midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognized by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Top church leaders in Jerusalem headed into Gaza Friday in a rare solidarity visit to the territory one day after an Israeli shell slammed into its only Catholic church, killing three people. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III entered Gaza in the morning to express the 'shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land,' read a statement released by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The patriarchs and their delegation arrived at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza in the afternoon. As well as the three people killed in the strike, 10 were wounded, including the resident priest. The church compound was damaged. The delegation was also planning on sending hundreds of tons of food aid, medical supplies and equipment to families inside Gaza, the patriarchate said, adding they also had 'ensured evacuation' of individuals injured in the attack to hospitals outside Gaza. The attack drew condemnation from world leaders and religious figures. Pope Leo XIV on Thursday renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in response to the attack and U.S. President Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express his frustration. Israel on Thursday expressed regret over what it described as an accident and said it was investigating. The visit by religious leaders Friday marked a rare entrance to the territory by a delegation of outsiders. With the exception of a trickle of aid workers and a small number of Palestinians needing medical care outside the territory, very few have been able to enter or exit Gaza since the start of Israel's latest offensive in May. At the time of the strike, the church compound was sheltering both Christians and Muslims, including a number of children with disabilities, according to Fadel Naem, acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the casualties. The Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem said the parish's 60-year-old janitor and an 84-year-old woman receiving psychosocial support inside a Caritas tent in the church compound were killed in the attack. Parish priest Gabriel Romanelli was lightly wounded. 'The Latin Patriarchate remains steadfast in its commitment to the Christian community and the entire population of Gaza. They will not be forgotten, nor will they be abandoned,' read the statement from Caritas. Netanyahu released a statement saying Israel 'deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church.' The Israeli military said an initial assessment indicated that 'fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly.' It said it was still investigating. Israel has repeatedly struck schools, shelters, hospitals and other civilian buildings, accusing Hamas militants of sheltering inside and blaming them for civilian deaths. Palestinians say nowhere has felt safe since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted 251 people, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Fifty hostages are still being held, less than half of them believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 58,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which has said women and children make up more than half of the dead. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government but is led by medical professionals. The United Nations and other international organizations consider its figures to be the most reliable count of war casualties. ___ Frankel reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Wafaa Shurafa And Julia Frankel, The Associated Press
Al Jazeera
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Israeli attack hits Gaza's only Catholic church
Israeli attack hits Gaza's only Catholic church NewsFeed An Israeli attack on Gaza's only Catholic church has killed and injured several people including forcibly displaced Palestinians who were sheltering inside. Video Duration 02 minutes 45 seconds 02:45 Video Duration 02 minutes 49 seconds 02:49 Video Duration 01 minutes 03 seconds 01:03 Video Duration 01 minutes 10 seconds 01:10 Video Duration 00 minutes 33 seconds 00:33 Video Duration 02 minutes 20 seconds 02:20 Video Duration 00 minutes 33 seconds 00:33
