DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip – An Israeli strike on the compound of the Holy Family Church, Gaza's only Catholic parish, killed three people and wounded ten others on Thursday, according to church officials and local health authorities. The wounded include the parish priest, who was known for his regular communication with the late Pope Francis about the dire conditions in the war-torn territory.

The attack, which occurred in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah, has intensified concerns over the safety of civilians and the protection of religious sites amid the ongoing conflict. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Catholic authority for the region, confirmed the casualties and condemned the strike as a senseless act of violence.

The Attack on a Sanctuary

According to a statement from the Patriarchate, an Israeli shell struck a building within the church compound where many displaced families had sought refuge. The blast killed an elderly woman and her daughter, who were working in the church's small kitchen, as well as another man seeking shelter.

The parish priest, Father Nadeem Aboud, suffered shrapnel wounds and was among the ten people hospitalized. Father Aboud has been a prominent figure, providing spiritual and material support to Gaza's minuscule Christian community, which has dwindled to only a few hundred people.

Witnesses described a scene of chaos and devastation, with the force of the explosion shattering windows and sending debris flying through the courtyard. The Holy Family Church has served as a sanctuary for dozens of Christian and Muslim families since the conflict began, providing food, water, and shelter.

A Priest, a Pope, and a Besieged Flock

The incident carries particular weight due to Father Aboud's connection to the late Pope Francis. Until the pontiff's final days, he held regular phone calls with Father Aboud and the parish, offering prayers and seeking firsthand updates on the humanitarian crisis. These conversations were often cited by the Vatican as a source of the Pope's deep and personal anguish over the war.

The late Pope repeatedly called for the protection of all civilians and the sanctity of places of worship, hospitals, and schools. The attack on a community he was personally in touch with underscores the indiscriminate nature of the violence that has engulfed the Gaza Strip.

Christian leaders across the globe have expressed outrage. The World Council of Churches called for an immediate investigation and demanded that all warring parties respect international humanitarian law, which grants special protection to religious sites.

Official Responses and Escalating Tensions

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement acknowledging that it was operating in the Deir al-Balah area on Thursday. "The IDF is reviewing the incident," the statement read. "The IDF takes all feasible measures to mitigate harm to civilians and non-combatants. The inquiry will examine the source of the fire."

The IDF has consistently stated that its operations target Hamas militants and their infrastructure, often accusing the group of operating from within or near civilian sites, including mosques, schools, and hospitals—a charge Hamas denies.

This strike is not the first time a Christian facility in Gaza has been hit during the war. In October 2023, an explosion at the nearby Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius killed at least 18 people who were sheltering there.

The repeated targeting of such sites, whether intentional or incidental, has fueled accusations of war crimes and amplified calls from human rights organizations for a permanent ceasefire and accountability for actions that violate international law. For the small, beleaguered community at the Holy Family Church, the attack represents another devastating blow to their hopes for safety in a land they consider holy.