Israel says it 'deeply regrets' deadly strike on Catholic Church in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Pope Leo on Friday, the Vatican said, a day after an Israeli strike on Gaza‘s sole Catholic church killed three people and injured several more

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Pope Leo on Friday, the Vatican said, a day after an Israeli strike on Gaza‘s sole Catholic church killed three people and injured several more.

During the call, the pope renewed his appeal for a ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza, and expressed his concern over the “dramatic” humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave, a Vatican statement said.

Leo also stressed the urgent need to protect places of worship, the faithful, and all people in the Palestinian territories and Israel, the statement added.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the highest ranking Catholic official in Jerusalem, meanwhile entered Gaza on Friday to bring humanitarian aid and comfort to victims of Israel’s strike.

President Donald Trump called Netanyahu to address the strike, the White House said on Thursday, adding that Trump did not react positively to the incident.