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Gaza Strip Under Siege: Israeli Forces Kill 22 Civilians, Including Two at Holy Family Church

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Dhaka, July 18 - Israeli forces have killed at least 22 people in attacks on the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including two people who died in a strike on the Holy Family Church, a site frequently visited by the late Pope Francis. The church is a place of worship for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the church and expressed its deep sorrow and regret over the loss of life. Eight men tasked with protecting aid trucks were also killed in airstrikes that took place while mediators continued ceasefire talks in Doha. A US official stated that the talks were going well, but two officials from the Palestinian militant group Hamas told Reuters that there had been no breakthrough. The Israeli military continues to pummel Gaza, with a Hamas source saying that Israel had presented new maps to the mediators, pledging to pull the army further back than had previously been offered.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least 22 people were killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, including two who died in a strike on the Holy Family Church, a site frequently visited by Pope Francis.
  • Eight men who were protecting aid trucks were killed in airstrikes, highlighting the devastating impact on civilians of the ongoing conflict.
  • Mediators continued ceasefire talks in Doha, but a US official stated that the talks were going well, contradicting reports from Hamas officials who said there had been no breakthrough.
  • Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, with almost 1,650 Israelis and foreign nationals killed as a result of the conflict.
  • The Holy Family Church, a place of worship for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, was targeted in the strike, with two people killed and Father Gabriele Romanelli, an Argentine priest who used to regularly update Pope Francis on Israeli-Palestinian conflict issues, lightly injured.
  • The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it was aware of reports of casualties and was reviewing the incident, adding that it makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures.

Statistics:

  • 22 people killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip on Thursday.
  • 2 people killed in a strike on the Holy Family Church, including Father Gabriele Romanelli, an Argentine priest lightly injured.
  • 8 men killed in airstrikes on aid trucks.
  • More than 58,000 Palestinians killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza, according to Gaza health authorities.
  • Almost 1,650 Israelis and foreign nationals killed as a result of the conflict.
  • 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals killed in the 7 October 2023, Hamas attack, according to Israeli tallies.

Sources:

  • Reuters
  • The New Nation
  • Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
  • Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
  • Gaza health authorities
  • Israeli media

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