Israel strikes Gaza church late pope spoke to regularly | REUTERS

Summary

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 22 people, including two at the Holy Family Church, a site frequently visited by the late Pope Francis. Among the wounded was Father Gabrielle Romanelli, an Argentine priest who once updated the pope on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The attack, which also injured civilians, was condemned as unjustified by locals. Despite ongoing ceasefire talks in Doha, no breakthrough was reported as Israeli military strikes continued. Pope Leo expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life, renewing his call for an immediate ceasefire.

Takeaways

• 😀 Israeli forces killed at least 22 people in Gaza on Thursday, including two who died in an attack on a church.
• 😀 The Holy Family Church, once frequently visited by Pope Francis, was struck by a tank shell during the attack.
• 😀 Father Gabrielle Romanelli, an Argentine priest, was injured in the attack; he had previously updated Pope Francis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• 😀 Shardi Su Hail, a witness, described the attack on the church where displaced civilians, including elderly, were taking shelter.
• 😀 The attack left Shardi's mother wounded by shrapnel in her head, and the strike was deemed unjustified by those affected.
• 😀 Pope Leo expressed deep sadness over the loss of life and reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire.
• 😀 The Vatican acknowledged the tragic event, and the Israeli military said it was reviewing the incident after reports of casualties emerged.
• 😀 The attack on the church came amidst continued airstrikes carried out by Israeli forces while ceasefire talks were ongoing in Doha.
• 😀 Despite the ongoing ceasefire talks, two Hamas officials reported no breakthrough in the discussions.
• 😀 The situation in Gaza continues to escalate, with both humanitarian concerns and military actions remaining central to the conflict.

Q & A

How many people were killed in the attacks on the Gaza Strip on Thursday?

At least 22 people were killed in the attacks on the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

What happened at the Holy Family Church in Gaza?

A strike hit the Holy Family Church, killing two people. The church was a place the late Pope Francis regularly spoke to.

Who was Father Gabrielle Romanelli, and what happened to him in the attack?

Father Gabrielle Romanelli was an Argentine priest who used to update the late Pope Francis about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He was lightly injured in the attack on the Holy Family Church.

What did Shardi Su Hail describe about the situation during the attack?

Shardi Su Hail, who was in the church during the strike, described the situation as a sudden surprise, with the attack coming from a tank shell. She also mentioned that there were elderly people and innocent civilians present, including her mother, who was wounded by shrapnel.

What was Pope Leo's response to the attack and the loss of life?

Pope Leo was deeply saddened by the loss of life and renewed his appeal for an immediate ceasefire.

What did the Israeli military say about the reported casualties?

The Israeli military said it was aware of reports of casualties and was reviewing the incident.

Who were among the dead in the air strikes mentioned in the report?

Eight men tasked with protecting aid trucks were reported among the dead in the air strikes.

What was the status of the ceasefire talks in Doha?

Mediators were continuing ceasefire talks in Doha, with a US official stating that the talks were going well. However, two officials from Hamas said there had been no breakthrough.

Did the Israeli military continue its actions during the ceasefire talks?

Yes, the Israeli military continued to strike Gaza even while mediators were engaged in ceasefire talks.

What was the general reaction from the international community regarding the violence?

Pope Leo's response, expressing sadness over the loss of life and calling for a ceasefire, reflects a broader international concern over the ongoing violence.