Israeli forces killed at least 22 people in attacks on the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including two who died in a strike on a church the late Pope Francis used to regularly speak to.

An Israeli strike on Gaza's sole Catholic Church killed three people and injured several others, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the small parish, said on Thursday.

"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 church.