Did Israel Really Regret the Deadly Attack on Gaza's Church?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Israel expressed regret for the bombing of a church in Gaza.
- The incident resulted in multiple casualties.
- Stray ammunition was cited as the cause of the attack.
- The Israeli government is conducting an investigation.
- UN officials condemned the attack and called for civilian protection.
Jerusalem, July 18 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed deep regret over a bombing that targeted Gaza's only Catholic church. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left at least 10 others injured.
According to a statement from Netanyahu, the attack was due to stray ammunition that struck the Holy Family Church, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
He remarked, “Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry, in a post on the social media platform X, stated that the Israel Defense Forces is currently investigating this incident, the details of which remain unclear.
They assured that the findings of the investigation would be released transparently.
In a related development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack on the Holy Family Church, recognizing it as a sanctuary for civilians, according to a spokesperson from the UN.
Stephanie Tremblay, associate spokesperson for the UN chief, stated, “Attacks on places of worship are unacceptable.” She emphasized that individuals seeking refuge deserve respect and protection, and should not be subjected to strikes.
With numerous lives already lost, the secretary-general urges all parties to ensure the protection of civilians at all times and to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Tremblay highlighted the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.