Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church, once a symbol of sanctuary for the besieged Christian minority, has become the site of a deadly tragedy after an Israeli airstrike struck its compound, killing three civilians and wounding several others, including the parish priest. The victims had sought shelter within the church walls after losing their homes, only to face death in what they believed was a sacred haven.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the attack, denouncing the bombing as a grave violation of international norms and human dignity. The roof of the church was partially destroyed, its stone walls scorched and its windows shattered, visual proof of a sanctuary turned into a battlefield. Father Gabriel Romanelli, lightly injured, was known for his close spiritual bond with the late Pope Francis, who had often phoned him to speak with both the priest and the displaced families sheltering inside.

The strike on the church was one of many deadly attacks across Gaza on Thursday, as Israeli warplanes pounded densely populated neighbourhoods. Palestinian medics reported at least 27 deaths, including a family of seven killed in Jabalia and eight men tasked with protecting aid convoys. These attacks unfolded as ceasefire negotiations continued abroad, talks that have so far yielded little more than broken promises and mounting graves.

Pope Leo expressed deep sorrow and called once again for an immediate ceasefire, urging leaders to choose dialogue over destruction. But on the ground, despair only deepens, as churches, schools, and hospitals, once off-limits in wartime, are reduced to rubble. Italy’s Prime Minister joined the growing chorus of condemnation, calling Israel’s months-long attacks against civilians "unacceptable" and unjustifiable.

For Gaza’s Christians, whose population has dwindled to around 1,000 souls, the strike on their last remaining Catholic church is not just a physical blow, it is a spiritual wound. When even houses of worship become targets, the message is devastatingly clear: in Gaza, no one and nothing is safe.