JERUSALEM (OSV News) — Seven people were injured following what initial reports say was a mid-morning Israeli tank attack on the Holy Family Parish Church in Gaza on July 17.
Latin Patriarchate CEO Sami El-Yousef told OSV News that the injured include two seriously injured elderly people; everyone had been transferred to the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital.
No Fatalities, Injuries Serious
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the injuries and damage to the church in a brief statement, saying, however, there were no fatalities in the attack. It said it would provide additional details as they were confirmed.
“The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning,” the July 17 statement said.
Two people previously reported to have been killed had just fainted, according to an unofficial report from the patriarchate.
Despite sustaining a light leg injury, parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli was shown placing his hand on the forehead of an injured man being carried out on a stretcher in a video broadcast by the Al-Arabiya TV station as he was accompanied by two men — one of whom was holding a bandage to the side of his face.
Shrapnel and Debris Across the Parish Yard
Father Romanelli was also transferred to the Al-Ahli Arab hospital for treatment, according to Reuters, but left after receiving care.
Photos show part of the church’s roof next to the cross blown away by the tank fire with burned marks down the wall, and windows shattered.
“The explosion occurred near the cross on the church roof, scattering shrapnel and debris across the yard,” said Caritas Jerusalem in a statement, adding that the church was “struck by a shell.”
The two elderly women had been sitting inside the Caritas psychosocial support tent when they were injured, the statement said. Three young people standing at the entrance of the church were also seriously injured, according to the statement.
Pastor’s Warnings Saved Lives
The statement said Father Romanelli had been urging people to stay inside their rooms over the past week as the fighting in the area intensified.
“If Father Gabriel hadn’t warned us to stay indoors, we could have lost 50 to 60 people today. It would have been a massacre,” the statement quoted one of “our Caritas colleagues.”
“Yesterday, the threat became especially severe due to the presence of Israeli tanks near the church compound and continuous strikes in close proximity,” said the statement.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the Israeli strike and said it was “unacceptable.”
The Christian community of the Holy Family Parish now numbers around 500, Father Romanelli said in a recent interview for Vatican Radio.
The parish priest of Gaza Strip’s small Christian community admitted his flock was already exhausted by war and a severe lack of food prior to the July 17 strike.
This is a developing story, more to come.
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Judith Sudilovsky writes for OSV News from Jerusalem.
The post BREAKING: Holy Family Gaza pastor, parishioners injured after mid-morning Israeli attack first appeared on OSV News.
