Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized Thursday for the Israeli Defense Force's bombing of Gaza's only Catholic church Thursday morning.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) struck Gaza’s sole Catholic Church in a raid on Thursday

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said "Israeli raids" hit the only Catholic Church in Gaza, and she condemned attacks on civilians as "unacceptable."

"Currently there are no fatalities confirmed," the church said in a press release. "The church sustained damage."

Ahmed Qandil, who specialized in general surgery, had been on his way to Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital when he was killed, Gaza’s Health Ministry spokesman confirmed to AP. Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of the Holy Family Parish,

As U.N. agencies issue dire warnings of humanitarian collapse in Gaza, the Catholic arm of an organization that promotes Christian engagement in the Near East has announced a nine-day novena prayer for peace in the Holy Land to begin on July 16.

A Catholic priest leading a parish in war-torn Gaza has expressed dismay over the “death and destruction” that surrounds his community while highlighting the starvation and lack of medical aid faced by the people.