Two people were killed, and several were wounded in an apparent Israeli attack on the Roman Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on Thursday.
The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that a "stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church."
The IDF on Thursday evening confirmed that "fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly," adding that the incident is still under review.
"Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful," the PMO stated.
"We pray that their souls rest (in peace) and for an end to this barbaric war. Nothing can justify the targeting of innocent civilians," said the Patriarchate, which oversees the Holy Family Church in Gaza.
Earlier reports from doctors at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City said two women had been killed following the raid.
"The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning. There are several injuries in the place, including the Parish Priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli," the Patriarchate said in an earlier statement.
"Israel expresses deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said.
"Israel never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any harm to a religious site or to uninvolved civilians," he continued.
"The circumstances of [the incident] are still unclear, and the results of the investigation will be published transparently," he added.
Additionally, IDF International Spokesperson Lt.-Col. Nadav Shoshani commented in both English and Italian.
"The IDF does not target religious institutions and takes many precautions to avoid harm to civilians or holy sites. We remain committed to safeguarding the freedom of religion for people of all faiths," Shoshani wrote on X/Twitter in English.
"Respect for every faith and for places of worship is a fundamental principle for the IDF, even in times of intense and active hostilities," he wrote in Italian.
"To be absolutely clear: the IDF does not intentionally target religious sites or civilians. In an extremely complex operational context, we continue to make every possible effort to avoid harm to uninvolved individuals," his Italian message added.
Pope Leo responds to strike
Pope Leo expressed his sadness over the deaths of the two people following the strike, and reiterated his hope for dialogue and a ceasefire.
In a telegram for the victims signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, Pope Leo said he was "deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack."
He "assures the parish priest, father Gabriele Romanelli, and the whole parish community of his spiritual closeness," the telegram said.
The Pope renewed his "call for an immediate ceasefire, and he expresses his profound hope for dialog, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region."
The telegram and the Vatican statement made no reference to the pope condemning the attack.
Father Romanelli, an Argentine, would regularly update the late Pope Francis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Italy's ANSA news agency, he suffered light leg injuries.
Italian prime minister responds to strike
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed Israel for the attack.
"The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude," she added.
This is a developing story.