In a telephone communication that the Israeli prime minister had Benjamin Netanyahu said to the Pope Leo ID ‘ That his country is close to agreeing with Hamas for the liberation of Israeli hostages.
Pope Leo ID ’emphasized the importance of protecting places of worship in a telephone communication on Friday (18.07.2025) with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel’s deadly blow to the only Catholic church of Gaza, the Vatican announced.
Pontiff reiterated his call for negotiations, a ceasefire and ending of the war, while reiterating his concern about the “dramatic humanitarian situation” in Palestine.
“He again expressed his concern about the dramatic humanitarian situation of the people in Gaza, the prosecution of which children, the elderly and patients pay particularly,” a statement said.
At the same time, the Israeli leader invited Pontiff to visit Israel.
The Vatican said Netanyahu began the invitation on Friday morning, the day after Israeli fires against the Church of the Holy Family in the city of Gaza, which caused the deaths of three people and triggered the international conviction.
Netanyahu, in a post on his account on X, “expressed Israel’s regret for the tragic incident in which stray ammunition accidentally hit the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza”, which killed 3 people and injured another 10.
The July 17th Israeli blow hit the Holy Family complex in the city of Gaza.
The church, which has become a refuge for both Christians and Muslims, has hosted hundreds of people, including children with disabilities.