Israeli Strikes Damage Gaza Church, Injure Priest Amid Rising Civilian Deaths

Israeli strikes hit the Holy Family Church, Gaza's only Catholic church, injuring several people including parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli, who maintained a nightly call with the late Pope Francis to discuss the conflict. The church, sheltering both Christians and Muslims including children with disabilities, sustained damage with some injured in critical condition, though initial reports on fatalities vary. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack as unacceptable and unjustifiable, highlighting the ongoing harm to civilians. The Israel Defense Forces said they are investigating the incident and emphasized efforts to minimize civilian casualties, including damage to religious sites. This attack comes amid continued intense Israeli military operations targeting Hamas in Gaza, following the October 2023 conflict onset, which has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and widespread suffering. The incident underscores the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the international concern over attacks on civilian and religious sites.