Gaza city: Israeli military officials have confirmed that the shelling of a Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in three fatalities last week, was an accident. The military's investigation, released on Wednesday, attributes the incident to an 'unintended deviation of ammunition.'
According to Ghana News Agency, the report indicates that the Holy Family Church in central Gaza City was inadvertently struck during military operations. The Israeli military has since refined its guidelines regarding the deployment of ammunition near religious structures, shelters, and other sensitive sites. An Israeli military spokesman emphasized their ongoing commitment to minimizing harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure amid their operations in Gaza. Despite these efforts, civilian casualties persist in the conflict-stricken coastal region.
The attack on the church on July 17 claimed the lives of three individuals and left nine others seriously injured. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that the church was sheltering many people who had been displaced by the ongoing conflict. The tragic event has intensified calls for peace, with Pope Leo XIV urging an immediate ceasefire. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has condemned the attack, labeling it as an assault on civilians and a sacred site.
In response to the incident, US President Donald Trump reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as confirmed by a White House spokeswoman. The attack has drawn international attention and concern over the escalating violence in the region.
