Netanyahu Regrets Strike on Catholic Church in Gaza

Tragedy struck the Holy Family Church, the enclave’s only Catholic parish in Gaza on July 17, 2025, when an Israeli shell, during the course of ongoing military operations, hit the building.

The shelling resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians and injuries to several others, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who is known for his close relationship with both the local Christian community and, until recently, the late Pope Francis.

The incident caused significant destruction to the church and deeply unsettled the already besieged Christian minority in Gaza.

US Pressure and Netanyahu’s Response

This incident quickly escalated into a diplomatic flashpoint.

Within hours, the White House disclosed that President Donald Trump had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express strong dissatisfaction with the strike that claimed innocent lives in a sacred space.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s reaction was pointed.

He insisted on a public statement from Netanyahu acknowledging the error and expressing remorse.

In the wake of this call, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a statement extending Israel’s “deep regret” for what it described as a “stray ammunition” incident.

The PMO emphasized that “every innocent life lost is a tragedy,” and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and the faithful worldwide.

The statement further pledged gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his words of comfort, underscoring Israel’s awareness of the international significance of the location struck.

Notably, the initial statement was issued through the PMO rather than directly in Netanyahu’s name.

It is a move interpreted by some analysts as an effort to balance domestic political pressures with the urgent demands coming from the US administration and broader international community.

The Investigation and Official Explanations

Both the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the government characterized the strike as unintentional.

An IDF spokesperson detailed that shrapnel from a tank shell, fired during operations against combatants in Gaza City, mistakenly hit the church.

A preliminary investigation was immediately launched, with officials emphasizing that Israel “directs its strikes solely at military targets and makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and religious structures”.

The IDF maintained that such tragedies underscore the immense difficulty of urban combat in densely populated areas where militants operate among civilians.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, in his remarks, reiterated Israel’s commitment to protecting civilians and places of worship, promising a thorough investigation.

He stressed that Israel is “committed to safeguarding the freedom of religion for people of all faiths,” and that military protocols include numerous precautions to avoid civilian casualties and harm to holy sites.

International and Local Reactions

The church strike triggered widespread condemnation from various stakeholders.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, responsible for the Catholic community in Gaza, issued a strongly worded denunciation of the attack, describing it as the “targeting of innocent civilians and a sacred place”.

International Christian communities joined in expressions of grief and outrage, while governments and organizations called on Israel to uphold protections for noncombatants and religious sites.

The incident further strained Israel’s relations with Washington, which has acted as a key military and diplomatic ally.

Observers noted that President Trump rarely exercises direct public pressure on Netanyahu.

But in this case, the moral and symbolic weight of the incident, particularly involving a church with global significance, prompted a swift intervention.

Context: War, Ceasefire Talks, and Continuing Hostilities

The strike came during renewed Israeli offensives in Gaza following a breakdown in ceasefire negotiations and a recent surge in hostilities.

Netanyahu’s government has repeatedly asserted that Hamas’ practice of embedding fighters and munitions within civilian neighborhoods and near religious sites makes the avoidance of unintended casualties difficult.

Yet, the steady drumbeat of civilian tragedies, including previous incidents such as the Rafah camp strike that drew parallel condemnations and triggered similar international probes, has intensified scrutiny from human rights organizations and world leaders alike.

Additionally, Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington had already placed him and his government under the spotlight regarding Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

The demands from the US government for increased accountability and mechanisms to protect civilians, combined with rising domestic and international criticism, further complicated Israel’s political landscape.

Conclusion

The Israeli strike on Gaza’s Holy Family Church represents another somber example of the war’s toll on civilians, particularly on vulnerable minority communities.

Under direct US diplomatic pressure, Israel has publicly acknowledged and expressed regret for the incident.

It is promising a formal inquiry and reaffirming commitments to safeguard civilians and holy sites.

As the investigation unfolds, the world will be watching how Israel’s leadership acts, not just in rhetoric, but in tangible measures, to prevent repeats of such tragedies and restore confidence in its stated principles of conduct during wartime.

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