Gaza Three killed and priest hurt in IDF strike on church

An Israeli strike has hit the only Roman Catholic church in Gaza, killing three people and injuring 10 others including the parish priest, who used to receive daily calls from the late Pope Francis.

- Angela Giuffrida Rome Malak A Tantesh Gaza

The Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem named two of the victims as Saad Salameh, the 60-year-old caretaker of the Holy Family church, and Fumayya Ayyad, an 84-year-old woman who was receiving psychological support in a Caritas tent within the church's compound when the blast occurred.

"Both were critically wounded and transported to al-Mamadani hospital [also known as al-Ahli Arab hospital], but due to the severe lack of medical resources and blood units in Gaza, they tragically passed away," the charity said. "Their deaths are a painful reminder of the impossible conditions faced by civilians and medical personnel under siege. May Saad and Fumayya rest in peace. We carry their memory with us."