The Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday its strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church last week was an accident, following an investigation into the incident.

The strike drew condemnation internationally as President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the event. The strike killed three people and injured nine.

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“Everyone is appalled,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.

Netanyahu previously said that Israel “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church” and called Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo said he held “deep sorrow” over the incident and called for an end to the “barbarity of war.”

“This act, unfortunately, adds to the ongoing military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza,” he added.

The IDF acknowledged that the effect of the strike “caused damage to the structure” of the church and “injured several Gazan civilians.” It did not acknowledge the deaths, according to church officials.

The IDF added that adjustments had been made to “improve the accuracy of fire” during the operation in which the church was hit and that following the incident, “guidelines for opening fire near religious buildings, shelters, and other sensitive sites were further clarified.” 

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the leader of the Catholic Church in Gaza, expressed doubt that the strike was a mistake.

“We are not a target. They say it was an error. Even if everybody here believes it wasn’t,” Pizzaballa said.

The Holy Family Church is still standing but has suffered damage. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem previously accused Israeli forces of gunning down a woman and her daughter as they walked inside its grounds in December 2023.

The IDF says it facilitated aid to the church and coordinated a delegation of Greek and Latin patriarchs along with Christian clergy to visit.

POPE LEO CALLS FOR GAZA CEASEFIRE AFTER ISRAELI FORCES HIT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN REGION

The IDF rarely apologizes for strikes within Gaza, though strikes have allegedly killed thousands in the area.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims more than 59,000 people have been killed there, and that the area is largely destroyed.