Vatican questions Israeli statements about attack on Gaza church

The Vatican has expressed doubts about Israeli statements saying an attack on a Catholic church in the Gaza Strip was a mistake, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on Italian television channel Rai.

The Cardinal secretary of state, second only to the pope in the Vatican, demanded full clarification from Israel regarding the shelling of the church, which resulted in the deaths of three people on Thursday.

The attack on the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City also left nine people injured including the Italian priest of the parish. About 600 displaced people were housed in the church, according to Palestinian sources.

Parolin said one could “rightfully doubt” that it was indeed a military error.

His comments followed a phone call between Pope Leo XIV and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who earlier expressed “deep regret.”

Parolin emphasized that the Vatican is not satisfied with the explanations provided so far.

Regarding Israel, Parolin said, “We should give them the time necessary to tell us what actually happened: whether it was really a mistake, which can be rightfully doubted, or whether it was the intention to target a Christian church, knowing how much Christians are an element of moderation in the Middle East.”

Around 1,000 Christians live in the Gaza Strip, home to some 2 million people. There are three churches in Gaza, with the Church of the Holy Family being the only Catholic place of worship.