Only Catholic Church In Gaza Attacked By Israel

It was not a positive reaction. He called Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning to address the strikes on that church in Gaza.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday after being asked about the bombing of the only Catholic church in Gaza, which killed three people and injured others. 

Why It Matters: Israel continues attacks on Gaza, as the war between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of concluding despite assertions by the White House of promising negotiations and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent visit to the White House. This latest attack has rallied critique against Israel, even from allies such as the United States. 

On Sunday, Pope Leo posted this statement on “X”: 

“Tragic news continues to arrive in these days from the Middle East, especially from Gaza. I express my profound sadness regarding last Thursday’s attack by the Israeli army on the Catholic Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza City, which as you know killed three Christians and gravely wounded others. I pray for the victims, Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud, and I am particularly close to their families and to all the parishioners. 

Sadly, this act adds to the continuous military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza. I again call for an immediate halt to the barbarism of the war and for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. I renew my appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and to respect the obligation to protect civilians, as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population. 

To our beloved Middle Eastern Christians I say: I deeply sympathise with your feeling that you can do little in the face of this grave situation. You are in the heart of the Pope and of the whole Church. Thank you for your witness of faith. May the Virgin Mary, woman of the Levant, dawn of the new Sun that has risen in history, protect you always and accompany the world towards the dawn of peace.” 

Learn More: 

• Trump called Netanyahu after Israeli strike on Gaza church (Reuters) 
• Israel strikes the Gaza church the pope used to call nightly, killing 3 (Washington Post)

Image Credit: CIA Factbook