From the Liveblog of
Thursday, July 17, 2025
IDF: Gaza church was mistakenly hit by shrapnel from tank fire; we regret unintentional harm to civilians
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Israeli military says that shrapnel from a tank shell fired during operations in Gaza City earlier today hit the Holy Family Church, where three people were killed and several were wounded.
The IDF says it carried out a preliminary investigation following reports of damage and casualties at the church.
“It emerged that fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly,” the IDF says, adding that the cause of the incident is under review.
“The IDF directs its strikes solely at military targets and makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and religious structures, and regrets any unintentional damage caused to them,” it adds.
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