Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill 26 Amid Renewed Conflict; Pope Francis Remembered for Support to Palestinian Christians

On April 24, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 26 Palestinians, including women and children, in Gaza, according to Gaza health officials. The Israeli military targeted sites used by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, claiming they were military objectives. The strikes, part of efforts to dismantle militant groups after October 2023 attacks, have worsened the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, the late Pope Francis is remembered in Gaza for his support of Palestinian Christians, maintaining contact and advocating for peace until his death on April 21, 2025.

Israeli Strikes Target Hamas and PIJ Sites, Civilian Death Toll Mounts

On April 24, Israeli airstrikes struck multiple locations across Gaza, killing at least 26 people, most of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in Jabalia, northern Gaza, where a strike on a police station killed nine people and wounded dozens more. The Israeli military claimed the building was being used as a command-and-control center by Hamas and PIJ to coordinate attacks against Israeli forces.

The military stated that the targeted facility was a legitimate military objective, asserting that Hamas and PIJ were using civilian infrastructure for military purposes. However, the strike occurred near a market area, and video footage showed civilians gathering around the rubble of the destroyed building. Medics reported that two missiles hit the site, causing significant casualties and damage.

Elsewhere in Gaza, airstrikes killed a family of six in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, including four children. In Khan Younis, a mother and her two children were among seven killed in separate strikes. Central Gaza also saw casualties, with six people, including two women and two children, killed in attacks. Displaced families living in tents near Nuseirat and Khan Younis were also hit, resulting in the deaths of at least five more civilians, including children.

The Israeli military has not commented on all individual incidents but reiterated its objective to apply military pressure on Hamas to secure the release of 59 remaining hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive. Since the collapse of a two-month ceasefire on March 18, Israel has resumed full-scale air and ground operations, sealing off Gaza from humanitarian aid and further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Renewed Offensive

The United Nations has reported that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels. Israel’s blockade of aid deliveries, in violation of the ceasefire agreement, has left Gaza’s 2 million residents without access to essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid. The UN has warned that the blockade is “further depriving people of the means for survival and undermining every aspect of civilian life.”

Since the beginning of the war in October 2023, more than 51,300 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The majority of the casualties are women and children. The Israeli campaign was launched in response to a Hamas-led cross-border attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages.

Pope Francis: A Voice for Gaza’s Christians

As the violence continues, the late Pope Francis is being remembered in Gaza for his steadfast support of the Palestinian Christian community. From the onset of the war in 2023 until his death on April 21, 2025, the Pope maintained near-daily contact with the Holy Family Catholic parish in Gaza City, where around 500 displaced people, including many Christians, have taken shelter.

“He never forgot us,” said George Anton, a parishioner sheltering with his family. “Even on the darkest days, under bombardment, he called us daily.” Father Gabriel Romanelli, the Argentinian priest serving the parish, recalled how the Pope would persist for hours to get through, despite communication challenges. “He asked for our prayers, gave us his blessing, and thanked us for our commitment to peace,” Romanelli said of their final conversation.

Pope Francis’ concern extended beyond personal contact. He was one of the most vocal international figures condemning the war, frequently criticizing Israel’s disproportionate use of force and calling for a ceasefire. In his final Easter Sunday address, delivered by an aide just one day before his death, he urged both Israel and Hamas to “call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”

His words resonated deeply in Gaza. “His final words were about Gaza, a place that held a unique and special place in his heart,” said 19-year-old Suhail Abu Daoud. “He consistently opposed war and called for peace and a ceasefire in Gaza and around the world.”

A Legacy of Advocacy and Compassion

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was known for his advocacy for the marginalized and his efforts to build interfaith bridges. In 2015, under his leadership, the Vatican officially recognized Palestinian statehood. He visited the Middle East multiple times, highlighting the plight of Christian minorities and calling for peaceful coexistence.

During the 2023 conflict, he also called on Hamas to release all hostages taken during the October 7 attacks and met with some of their families in Rome. His balanced approach—condemning violence on both sides—was not always well-received in Israel. Following his death, only Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued condolences, while the foreign ministry deleted a social media post expressing sorrow.

In a November 2024 statement, Pope Francis wrote that “according to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide,” urging that the situation be carefully investigated under international law. His remarks underscored his commitment to justice and human dignity, even in the face of political backlash.

For Gaza’s Christian community, the Pope’s daily calls and unwavering support were a rare source of comfort. “We will miss his fatherly concern, always asking about our lives and offering us compassion and strength,” said Anton. “His presence, even from afar, brought us comfort.”

References

• Palestinian Christians in Gaza: Pope Francis never forgot us – DW – 04/24/2025
• Israeli strikes target Gaza police station, shelter, killing dozens
• Multiple Israeli strikes kill 28 in Gaza as aid continues to be blocked | The Express Tribune
• Middle East latest: Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 28 people, Palestinians say - WTOP News
• Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 26 people - officials