Our top story today a diplomatic storm has erupted between Washington and Tel Aviv after a deadly airstrike on Gaza’s only Catholic Church left multiple civilians dead. President Donald Trump is said to be furious, delivering a direct and heated phone call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the tragedy.
The Holy Family Church in Gaza City, a long-standing place of worship for the small Catholic community, was struck on Thursday during Israeli military operations, reportedly by shell fragments. The explosion killed three people, including an 84-year-old woman and the parish janitor, and wounded at least 10 others—one critically. The church’s priest also suffered minor injuries.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Trump’s reaction was summed up in just six chilling words: “It was not a positive reaction.” She confirmed that Trump personally phoned Netanyahu to express his outrage. Following the call, Israel’s government issued a formal apology, stating that the strike was unintentional.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said, “An initial inquiry suggests that fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly.” The military added that the incident remains under internal review.
In the wake of the bombing, Pope Leo XIV released a message of mourning and prayer, saying, “In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, the Holy Father prays for the consolation of those who grieve and for the recovery of the injured.”
🇮🇱Israel’s leadership echoed the sorrow, writing, “Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful.”
But many remain unconvinced by the apology. This latest strike adds to growing global scrutiny over Israel’s tactics during its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023—triggered by a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, Israel has launched a relentless counter-offensive.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the conflict has since claimed the lives of over 58,600 Palestinians, with women and children making up more than half of the death toll. The ministry is operated under Hamas but led by health professionals, and its data is widely considered credible by the United Nations and other international organizations.
Civilian infrastructure including schools, hospitals, shelters, and now churches has been repeatedly hit during the conflict. Israel maintains that Hamas embeds its operations within civilian sites, thereby increasing the risk of collateral damage. Palestinians, meanwhile, say nowhere is safe.
President Trump’s strong rebuke signals growing U.S. frustration with Israeli conduct as civilian casualties continue to mount. Some analysts suggest the relationship between the two longtime allies may be entering a more tense and conditional phase.
As we await further diplomatic fallout and internal investigations into the strike, calls for de-escalation continue to mount around the world. For now, the Holy Family Church joins a long list of sites turned to rubble in a war showing no sign of stopping.
Stay with SNEWS for continuing coverage of the Middle East conflict.
Reporting by Carl Montel.
