Israeli Attack On Gaza Kills 22 People Including 8 Men Who Protect Aid Trucks

Khan Younis Gaza/DOK UNICEF

JAKARTA - The Israeli attack killed 22 people in the Gaza Strip on Thursday and several others were injured in attacks on the church commonly visited by the late Pope Francis on a regular basis.

Eight men in charge of protecting aid trucks were reported among the dead in airstrikes launched as mediators resumed ceasefire negotiations in Doha.

A US official said the negotiations were going well this week. But two officials from the Palestinian militant group Hamas told Reuters they had not made any progress on key issues and had stalled.

Several people were injured in the morning attack at the Holy Family Church, including parish priest Gabriel Romanelli, a statement by Jerusalem's Latin Patriarchate regarding the incident at the only Catholic church in Gaza.

Father Romanelli, an Argentine, used to give the late Pope Francis the latest news about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

TV footage shows Romanelli being treated at Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza, with bandages on his lower right leg.

"Attacks on the civilian population that Israel has carried out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement.

Israel Defense Forces said it was investigating the matter.

"The IDF is aware of reports of damage to the Kudus Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene. The incident is being reviewed," he said.

"IDF is making every effort possible to reduce losses to civilians and civilian buildings, including places of worship, and regret all the damage that has happened to them," he continued.

Israel has attempted to eradicate Hamas in Gaza in a military operation that began after the group's deadly attack on Israel in October 2023 and has led to widespread hunger and shortages in the small enclave.

Palestinian medics said one airstrike on Thursday killed a man, his wife, and five of their children in Greater Java in northern Gaza, and another attack in the north has killed eight men responsible for protecting aid trucks.