A reporter asked White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, “In Gaza today, Holy Family Catholic Church was struck by an Israeli shell. Three people were killed, ten wounded. What is the President's reaction to that church coming under fire?”
Leavitt responded, “It was not a positive reaction. He called Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning to address the strikes on that church in Gaza. And I understand the prime minister agreed to put out a statement."
"It was a mistake by the Israelis to hit that Catholic Church. That's what the Prime Minister relayed to the President and you should look at the Prime Minister's statement that will be coming,” she added.
After the phone call from Trump, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement, “Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful.”
Netanyahu's office then added, "We are grateful to Pope Leo for his words of comfort. Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites."
The call from Trump to Netanyahu and following statement from Israel comes as the US president has been attempting to broker peace in the region as the war between Israel and Hamas has escalated since the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, where terror group killed 1,200 Israelis.
