• Education
    • Higher Education
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Online Learning
    • School Reforms
    • Research & Innovation
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Home & Living
    • Relationships & Family
  • Technology & Startups
    • Software & Apps
    • Startup Success Stories
    • Startups & Innovations
    • Tech Regulations
    • Venture Capital
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Gadgets & Devices
    • Industry Analysis
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Today Headline
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
Today Headline
No Result
View All Result
Home World News Us & Canada

Christian patriarchs make rare visit to Gaza after deadly Israeli strike on church

July 18, 2025
in Us & Canada
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
0
Christian patriarchs make rare visit to Gaza after deadly Israeli strike on church
4
SHARES
9
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Top church leaders visited Gaza on Friday after its only Catholic church was struck by an Israeli shell the day before, an attack that killed three people and wounded 10, including a priest who had developed a close friendship with the late Pope Francis.

The strike drew condemnation from both the current Pope and U.S. President Donald Trump, and prompted a statement of regret from Israel, which said it was a mistake.

Since ending a ceasefire in March, Israel has regularly launched deadly strikes across Gaza against what it says are Hamas militants, frequently killing women and children. Strikes killed 18 people overnight, health officials said Friday.

Pope Leo XVI, meanwhile, renewed his call for negotiations to end the 21-month war during a Friday phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Vatican said.

Church leaders organize aid, evacuations

The religious delegation to Gaza included two patriarchs from Jerusalem — Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III. The rare visit was intended to express the “shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land,” a statement said.

“We want to express our solidarity with our people, especially after the tragedy yesterday,” Pizzaballa told a CBC News freelance journalist on Friday, adding that the patriarchs are appealing to the international community for a ceasefire.

Israel has heavily restricted access to Gaza since the start of the war, though church leaders have entered on previous occasions, usually to mark major holidays.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III visit the Church of the Holy Family on Friday. The church was hit in an Israeli strike the previous day. (The Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem/Handout via Reuters)

The delegation visited the Holy Family Catholic Church, whose compound was damaged in the shelling. They were also organizing convoys carrying hundreds of tonnes of food, medical supplies and other equipment to the territory — which experts say has been pushed to the brink of famine by Israel’s war and military offensive — and the evacuation of those wounded in the church strike.

“This visit is a rejection to what has taken place and a rejection of everything happening in this war,” 60-year-old Elias Al-Jalda, a Christian activist in Gaza, told CBC News. 

In a call with Netanyahu, Pope Leo “expressed again his concern over the dramatic humanitarian situation for the population in Gaza, with children, the elderly and the sick paying the most heartbreaking price,” the Vatican said in a statement.

An Israeli official, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak on the record, confirmed that Netanyahu had placed the call and said the Vatican’s account was accurate.

In an earlier statement, the Pope had “repeated his intentions to do everything possible to stop the useless slaughter of innocent people,” and condemned “the unjustifiable attack” on the church.

WATCH | Father Gabriel Romanelli speaks about daily calls from Pope Francis: 

Pope Francis called this Gaza church almost every day until his death

Almost every night since the start of the war in Gaza, the Holy Family Church in Gaza City would get a call from Pope Francis, including just two days before his death. Father Gabriel Romanelli tells The National’s Adrienne Arsenault about the final phone call and the impact of the pontiff’s extraordinary outreach.

The Vatican said the Pope had also received an update on the condition of Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, the resident priest at the church, who was lightly wounded. The priest had regularly spoken by phone with Pope Francis, who died in April, telling the pontiff about the struggles faced by civilians in Gaza.

Netanyahu released a statement Thursday saying Israel “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church.” The Israeli military said it was still investigating.

‘We are unable to get them out’

Israel has repeatedly struck schools, shelters, hospitals and other civilian buildings, accusing Hamas militants of sheltering inside and blaming them for civilian deaths. Palestinians say nowhere has felt safe since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

Israeli strikes killed at least 18 Palestinians overnight and into Friday, including a strike on a home in the southern city of Khan Younis that killed four members of the same family, according to morgue records at Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies.

The Associated Press footage of the aftermath of the strike showed people searching for remains. 

“They are still under the rubble,” said Belal Abu Sahloul, a relative of those killed. “Until now we are unable to get them out, even in small pieces.”

Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians, who according to medics, were killed in overnight Israeli strikes, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Friday. (Hussam Al-Masri/Reuters)

At the hospital, a mother could be seen holding the hand of her daughter, who had been killed in one of the other strikes and placed in a body bag. Nearly 18,000 Palestinian children have been killed since the start of the war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israel’s military said it was “operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities” and that it takes “feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm.”

3 more killed seeking aid: health officials

Nasser Hospital said another three people were killed while heading toward an aid site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli-backed American contractor. A spokesperson for the foundation said there was no violence at its sites overnight and that crowds were “docile.”

Since the group’s operations began in late May, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in shootings by Israeli soldiers while on roads heading to the sites, according to witnesses and health officials. GHF’s four sites are all in military-controlled zones, and the Israeli military has said its troops have only fired warning shots to control crowds. There was no comment from the military on the latest deaths.

The Gaza war was triggered when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Fifty hostages are still being held, with less than half till believed to be still alive.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 58,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, while displacing almost the entire population of more than two million and causing a hunger crisis.



Source link

Previous Post

At least 10 Palestinians killed while seeking aid

Next Post

US drillers add oil/gas rigs for first time in 12 weeks, Baker Hughes says

Related Posts

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moves to amp up the pressure on Democrats who fled in redistricting standoff

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moves to amp up the pressure on Democrats who fled in redistricting standoff

August 8, 2025
5
Simply Delicious Recipe: Italian pasta with honey mushrooms and blueberries - Toronto

Simply Delicious Recipe: Italian pasta with honey mushrooms and blueberries – Toronto

August 8, 2025
5
Next Post

US drillers add oil/gas rigs for first time in 12 weeks, Baker Hughes says

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

April 2, 2025
Pioneering 3D printing project shares successes

Product reduces TPH levels to non-hazardous status

November 27, 2024

Police ID man who died after Corso Italia fight

December 23, 2024

Hospital Mergers Fail to Deliver Better Care or Lower Costs, Study Finds todayheadline

December 31, 2024
Harris tells supporters 'never give up' and urges peaceful transfer of power

Harris tells supporters ‘never give up’ and urges peaceful transfer of power

0
Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend's Mother

Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother

0

Trump ‘looks forward’ to White House meeting with Biden

0
Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

0

Trump to preside over Armenia-Azerbaijan peace framework, upstaging Russia

August 8, 2025
Fda approves SetPoint neuroimmune modulation device for rheumatoid arthritis

FDA approves SetPoint neuroimmune modulation device for rheumatoid arthritis

August 8, 2025
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moves to amp up the pressure on Democrats who fled in redistricting standoff

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moves to amp up the pressure on Democrats who fled in redistricting standoff

August 8, 2025
U.N. asks Israel to immediately halt plan to control Gaza

U.N. asks Israel to immediately halt plan to control Gaza

August 8, 2025

Recent News

Trump to preside over Armenia-Azerbaijan peace framework, upstaging Russia

August 8, 2025
0
Fda approves SetPoint neuroimmune modulation device for rheumatoid arthritis

FDA approves SetPoint neuroimmune modulation device for rheumatoid arthritis

August 8, 2025
3
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moves to amp up the pressure on Democrats who fled in redistricting standoff

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moves to amp up the pressure on Democrats who fled in redistricting standoff

August 8, 2025
5
U.N. asks Israel to immediately halt plan to control Gaza

U.N. asks Israel to immediately halt plan to control Gaza

August 8, 2025
5

TodayHeadline is a dynamic news website dedicated to delivering up-to-date and comprehensive news coverage from around the globe.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Basketball
  • Business & Finance
  • Climate Change
  • Crime & Justice
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic Policies
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Policies
  • Europe
  • Football
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Health
  • Medical Research
  • Mental Health
  • Middle East
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Politics
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Science & Environment
  • Software & Apps
  • Space Exploration
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Technology & Startups
  • Tennis
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Us & Canada
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • World News

Recent News

Trump to preside over Armenia-Azerbaijan peace framework, upstaging Russia

August 8, 2025
Fda approves SetPoint neuroimmune modulation device for rheumatoid arthritis

FDA approves SetPoint neuroimmune modulation device for rheumatoid arthritis

August 8, 2025
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology & Startups
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Todayheadline.co

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Business & Finance
  • Corporate News
  • Economic Policies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Market Trends
  • Crime & Justice
  • Court Cases
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Cybercrime
  • Legal Reforms
  • Policing
  • Education
  • Higher Education
  • Online Learning
  • Entertainment
  • Awards & Festivals
  • Celebrity News
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Health
  • Fitness & Nutrition
  • Medical Breakthroughs
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemic Updates
  • Lifestyle
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Living
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Government Policies
  • International Relations
  • Legislative News
  • Political Parties
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Industry Analysis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Climate Change
  • Environmental Policies
  • Medical Research
  • Science & Environment
  • Space Exploration
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • Sports
  • Tennis
  • Technology & Startups
  • Software & Apps
  • Startup Success Stories
  • Startups & Innovations
  • Tech Regulations
  • Venture Capital
  • Uncategorized
  • World News
  • Us & Canada
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Travel
  • Research & Innovation
  • Scholarships & Grants
  • School Reforms
  • Stock Market
  • TV & Streaming
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • About us
  • Contact

© 2024 Todayheadline.co