International condemnation is mounting following the deadly bombing of the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of three people. The church, under France’s historic protection since the 16th century, was struck during Israeli operations, sparking outrage and diplomatic concern.
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to denounce the strike as “unacceptable.”
“I expressed to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem the sorrow and solidarity of our country. These attacks are unacceptable. The slaughter in Gaza must end,” Barrot wrote.
He emphasized that the Church of the Holy Family is under France’s historic protection, a role that dates back to the capitulations signed by King Francis I of France and Suleiman the Magnificent in 1535, a heritage France continues to uphold today.
In a previous official statement responding to a senator’s inquiry in 2014, the French Foreign Ministry reminded that:
“France protects Catholic religious communities in Israel and Palestine. This role is part of a long historical tradition stemming from the capitulations signed in 1535.”
U.S. Response and Netanyahu’s Admission
According to a White House announcement, former U.S. President Donald Trump personally called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the bombing of Gaza’s only Roman Catholic Church.
Trump’s spokesperson revealed that Netanyahu acknowledged the attack as a “mistake.”
Three Dead, Several Injured
The bombing of the Church of the Holy Family left three people dead and several injured, according to local and international reports. The church had long served as a refuge and spiritual haven for Gaza’s dwindling Christian population.
Israel Acknowledges Error, Calls It a ‘Tragedy’
Speaking later in the day, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed sorrow for the loss of life, calling the incident a “tragedy.”
“Israel deeply regrets that an errant strike hit the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share in the pain of the families and the faithful,” his office stated.
The incident has intensified calls from religious and political leaders around the world for an immediate halt to violence and greater protection of religious and civilian sites during armed conflict.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
