Gaza's Catholic community shocked by attack on holy site

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-07-18 10:40:06 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-22 20:00:11

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The holy site, located in Gaza City, is a place of worship for the city's Catholic community and also serves as a place of refuge for those seeking peace and safety.

The attack occurred during the celebration of a Mass, which was being live-streamed, on Saturday, when Israeli military aircraft fired at least three missiles at the church. The missiles struck less than 100 yards away from the celebrations, injuring at least three people and causing significant damage to the building. The choir was heavily damaged, and windows and furniture were destroyed as well.

A statement from the Vatican condemned the attack, stating that "an act so serious damages the sacred character of the building and harms the life and dignity of the people who find refuge and shelter in that place."

The Catholic community in Gaza, home to about 1,000 members, is predominantly made up of refugees or their descendants from the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, with a smaller number of local Arabic-speaking Catholics. They often find themselves at the forefront of conflict, as Gaza has been the target of Israeli operations and Palestinian militant attacks. Despite this unsettling context, the church has generally been respected as a place of sanctuary.

The attack has caused a wave of fear and panic among the Catholic community and wider Gaza population. The latest escalation underscores the trauma and instability that civilians in Gaza have endured for years, and compounds concerns over the vulnerability of protected sites during times of conflict.

The United Nations has condemned the attack, with the Secretary-General stating that "there is no possible justification for targeting a place of worship." He further added that "such acts undermine the religious freedom and tolerance fundamental to peace and must cease." The Vatican has also called for an investigation into the attack, and the Bishop of Rome has expressed his deepest condolences to the people of Gaza.

The fact that a holy site, meant to be a place of sanctuary, was targeted during a religious celebration, is sadly just another example of how difficult it is for Gaza's residents to find moments of peace and normalcy amidst the ongoing conflict.

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