France condemns the “unacceptable” bombing of a church under its historic protection – L’Express

Three people were killed and ten others were injured this Thursday, July 17 in the morning by an Israeli strike on the Catholic church of the Gaza Strip alone. Consequently, “This morning. In addition, around 10:20 am, the Holy Family complex in Gaza-Ville, was struck by the Israeli army,” said Latin patriarchy in a statement.

This church. Meanwhile, which houses around 600 displaced, was a refuge for this small community since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas 21 months ago. Furthermore, “In the morning, a tank targeted us and touched the church. However, Several civilians were killed. Similarly, injured,” Shadi Abou Daoud told AFP, a move from which the 70 -year -old died in the strike.

For patriarchy. Moreover, “targeting a sacred site which houses around france condemns “unacceptable” bombing church 600 displaced, mostly children, is a blatant violation of human dignity and the sacredness of religious sites, which are supposed to provide a safe shelter in wartime”. Nevertheless, Despite the evidence. Furthermore, Israel has denied being responsible for this strike and affirmed that “never targets” religious sites in the Palestinian territory, adding “examining” the circumstances in which the church was damaged.

France. Italy condemn an “unacceptable” bombardment – France condemns "unacceptable" bombing church

France, which holds the historical protection of the place of worship, was quick to react through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who denounced on X “an inadmissible bombardment”. “I expressed the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem the emotion and solidarity of our country. These attacks are intolerable, it is time for carnage to Gaza ceases,” wrote the minister.

“The Latin parish of Gaza is under the protection of France. is explicitly cited in the 1913 agreement,” said france condemns “unacceptable” bombing church the French consulate in Jerusalem. “The consul general Nicolas Kassianides met the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, to ensure him the support of France”, according to this source.

Voices have also been raised on the humanitarian side. The director general of the French NGO The work of the East. very committed to Christians, notably in Gaza, has also expressed its amazement: “one wonders if Israel wants Christian communities […] It is a place of worship. There was no strategic objective, there were no jihadists in this church. There were families, civilians, “Pascal Gollnisch told AFP.

Italy also condemned this strike, the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, directly blaming Israel. “The Israeli Raids on Gaza have affected the Church of the Sainte-Famille. The attacks against the civilian population france condemns “unacceptable” bombing church carried out by Israel for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude.” In parallel. the Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani demanded “clarification” during a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar.

The pope calls for “an immediate ceasefire”

Pope Leon XIV said he was “deeply saddened”. has renewed his call “to an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, where the indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel for a break are in the dead end. Via a telegram published by the Vatican. the head of the Catholic Church expressed “his deep hope for dialogue, reconciliation and lasting peace in the region”.

The Gaza Strip has approximately a thousand Christians, out of a population of more than two million people besieged by france condemns “unacceptable” bombing church Israel since the response to Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, and on the edge of the Famine according to the UN. Most Christians are Orthodox but, according to patriarchy, around 135 Catholics live in Palestinian territory. Since the start of the war. the father of the Catholic church of Gaza Gabriel Romanelli, injured in the leg in the strike, regularly dialogued by video connection with the former Pope Francis, died in April.