Name: Could Meloni’s rebuke of Israel's attack on Gaza Catholic Church mark a shift in Italy-Israel ties?
Uploaded: 2025-07-18T17:04:59.000Z
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Gaza's civil defense agency says two people were killed and several others injured when the territory's only Catholic church was struck by Israeli forces.

Officials say the Holy Family Church in Gaza City was sheltering displaced Christians and Muslims.

The Israeli military have said that it never targets religious sites.

Injured people are being rushed to Al Ahly Baptist Hospital.

Church officials said many were injured in what they described as an apparent strike by the Israeli army on Gaza's sole Catholic church.

Among the wounded, Gabriel Romanelli, a parish priest known for his close connection to the late Pope Francis.

In April, a church service was held here to mark the pontiff's passing.

The Holy Family Church has also been hosting some 500 Christians displaced by the war.

Italy's Prime Minister blamed Israel for the incident.

In a social media post, Giorgia Meloni said, The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable.

No military action can justify such behaviour.

In a statement, Israel said it never targets religious sites.

But Israel did launch strikes on other targets.

Among those hit, a school-turned-shelter in central Gaza.

Here Palestinians rummage through the ruins of their tents.

Our message to the whole world is to take us seriously, give us real attention.

For two years we have been living in a state of war, in addition to hunger, fear and terror.

Therefore, they must take us into consideration and put pressure on Israel to try and resolve this issue.

We are targeted even when we walk down the street, even when we are in a safe place.

Israel says it is waging this war to dismantle Hamas, the terror organisation which carried out the October 7 attacks and killed some 1,200 Israelis.

The death toll from Israel's subsequent war in Gaza currently stands at more than 58,000, according to local health authorities and the UN.

Well, our coverage continues now with journalist Seema Gupta.

What do you make of the reaction coming from the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni?

She put the blame squarely on Israel on this issue and said that it was unacceptable.

A really strong reaction from the Italian Prime Minister.

I mean, we have to note that Meloni and her government generally have been vocal supporters of Israel and of the governments of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

But in recent months, it's clear that there's been growing unease within her coalition government of what the Israeli government has been doing and their military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

And clearly, they are concerned about this.

I mean, back in May, Meloni herself said that Israel must respect international law.

And she said that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is simply, it's dramatic and it's unjustifiable.

And then today, we're seeing a very strong statement.

Clearly, an attack on the lone Catholic Church in the Gaza Strip.

Ms. Meloni is a supporter of the Catholic Church.

So clearly, she felt to have to have a condemnation of the attack in very strong words.

And that brings me to my second question.

Well, we got a statement, a telegram sent by the Vatican number two, Cardinal Petro Parolin.

But he quoted Pope Leo, who expressed condolences for the victims of this attack.

And he said, Pope Leo said, he was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury and expressed closeness to the parish priest, Reverend Gabriele Romanelli, as well as the entire parish.

That parish priest, of course, was very close to the previous pope, who often spoke to him throughout this conflict.

And he also expressed a profound hope for dialogue and reconciliation and enduring peace in the region and renewed his call for a ceasefire.

So really, very much wanting to create a situation of peace there.

A frustration perhaps about what's been happening, but definitely a call once again for peace in the region and that ceasefire.

Journalist Seema Gupta with reaction from Italy to that church in Gaza, Catholic Church, being hit by an Israeli strike.