'Israeli' shells Gaza’s only Catholic church, Meloni condemns

On Thursday, an 'Israeli' strike hit the Holy Family Catholic Church, the only Catholic church in the besieged enclave, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The compound, which has been sheltering hundreds of displaced civilians since the war began, sustained heavy damage in what church officials condemned as a “flagrant violation of human dignity.”

The patriarchate said the strike destroyed parts of the complex, which had been providing refuge to around 600 displaced Palestinians.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the incident on Thursday, confirming that the Holy Family Church had been struck. "Israeli strikes on Gaza have also hit the Holy Family Church," Meloni said in a statement, describing the attacks on civilians as "unacceptable."

Italy’s ANSA news agency reported that at least two people were killed in the strike.

The church, which has served as a shelter for displaced families since the start of the war, is one of the few remaining Christian sites in the enclave.