• An Israeli shell hit Gaza's only Catholic church, killing three people and injuring ten, including parish priest Gabriel Romanelli.
• Pope Leo XIV condemned the attack and called for an immediate ceasefire in a message expressing profound hope for peace.
• The church was sheltering hundreds, including children and disabled individuals, when the shelling occurred.
• This incident reflects the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid the protracted conflict with Israel.
• Reports indicate more than 58,600 Palestinian casualties since Israel intensified its military responses following Hamas's attacks.

An Israeli shell struck the Holy Family Catholic Church compound in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to ten others, including Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest who was known to have communicated frequently with the late Pope Francis. The attack occurred as the church was sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has escalated over the past 21 months, according to Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, and NPR.

The shelling caused significant damage to the church compound, which was serving as a refuge for both Christians and Muslims, including many children with disabilities. The Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem reported that among the casualties were the parish’s janitor, aged 60, and an 84-year-old woman. Romanelli sustained minor injuries. A local resident described witnessing the attack, calling it a “brutal, unjustified action by the Israeli occupation,” highlighting the presence of vulnerable individuals at the site during the incident, according to Los Angeles Times and HuffPost.

The Israeli military has stated that it is investigating the incident and strives to minimize harm to civilians and religious sites, expressing regret for any unintended damage. In an unusual gesture, the Israeli Foreign Ministry extended an apology on social media regarding the church's damage and civilian casualties. The ongoing conflict has seen repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure, which the Israeli government claims are aimed at Hamas militants, as stated in Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, and NPR.

Pope Leo XIV, upon learning of the attack, promptly called for an immediate ceasefire and extended condolences to the victims’ families, expressing sorrow for the loss of life and injuries caused by the military action. His message emphasized the importance of dialogue, reconciliation, and the hope for enduring peace within the war-torn region, as reported by Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, and NPR.

This attack is part of a continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where hospitals and shelters have been attacked, and civilians have increasingly been caught in the crossfire of military operations. The severity of the humanitarian situation is underscored by reports that over 58,600 Palestinians have died since Israel’s military response escalated in the wake of Hamas’s attacks, with the Palestinian Health Ministry indicating that women and children make up more than half of the casualties, according to Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, and NPR.