An Israeli air raid hit the Church of the Holy Familylocated in the Al-Zeitoun district, in the city of Gaza. The building, the only place of Catholic worship in the strip, was seriously damaged. The budget of the attack is two dead and six seriously injured. Among the wounded there is also the parish priest, father Gabriel Romanelliwhich brought a leg injury, fortunately not serious. According to the Israeli army, the episode would be the result of “a shooting error”.
The Prime Minister, Giorgia Melonsharshly condemned the attack. In an official declaration he said: “The Israeli raids on Gaza also affect the church of the Holy Family. Attacks against the civilian population that Israel He has been demonstrating for months. No military action can justify such an attitude. “Words of condemnation have also arrived from the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajaniwhich defined the “no longer eligible” attacks and expressed closeness to Father Romanelli and all the injured.
The situation in Gaza and the negotiations in progress
The attacks are part of an Israeli military campaign intensified in recent months. Despite the current negotiations between Israel And Hamasmediated by Qatar in the city of Doha, the ceased the fire seems far away. On the table, according to Israeli sources, there would be a proposal that provides for the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, but the negotiations have not yet brought concrete results.
The church of the Holy Family is not only an important place of worship for the sparse Catholic community of Gaza, but also represents a refuge for many displaced people. At the time of the attack, hundreds of people had found shelter as a whole. The raid was also criticized by the cardinal Pierbattista PizzaballaPatriarch of the Latins of Jerusalem, who expressed concern about the consequences of this event on a community already deeply affected by the conflict.
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