Israel apologizes for deadly strike on Gaza Catholic church after Trump call
Source: Politico
Israel apologizes for deadly strike on Gaza Catholic church after Trump call
The president’s reaction was not “positive,” according to the White House.
By Seb Starcevic
07/17/2025 06:04 PM EDT
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized on Thursday for a strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church – which killed three people – following criticism he received from President Donald Trump.
On Thursday morning, an Israeli shell hit the besieged enclave’s Holy Family Church, killing three and injuring several others, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Gaza has a tiny Christian community, many of whom have lived and sheltered inside the church since the outbreak of the war.
“Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, adding the incident was being investigated.
The strike triggered a torrent of condemnation from world leaders — including Trump, who voiced his displeasure with Netanyahu in a phone call Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said from the briefing room podium.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/17/netanyahu-apology-israel-church-strike-00461021