The ongoing conflict in the region, which escalated after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant destruction, with densely-populated areas in Gaza experiencing building demolitions and infrastructure damage. Palestinian health officials report that more than 4,100 people in Gaza have lost their lives due to Israeli strikes, and over a million have been displaced. Civilians in the region are facing desperate conditions, including shortages of food, water, fuel, and medical supplies.
An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip struck a Greek Orthodox church that was providing shelter to numerous displaced Palestinians, as reported by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Palestinian health authorities confirmed that the attack resulted in the tragic loss of 16 lives. The church has not provided information regarding the number of casualties. The Israeli military stated that the strike damaged a section of the church, which was believed to be a militant command center, and indicated that they are currently reviewing the incident.
Palestinian authorities have reported that the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius in Gaza provided shelter for over 500 individuals, including both Muslims and Christians, who were seeking refuge from the Israeli bombardments in the area. The Orthodox Church, in response to the Israeli airstrike on its church compound in Gaza City, issued a statement expressing its strong criticism of the attack.
Additionally, the health ministry under the control of Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, confirmed in a statement that 16 Palestinian Christians lost their lives as a result of this incident. The situation underscores the ongoing humanitarian and geopolitical complexities in the region.
Video footage captured at the church compound depicted a heartbreaking scene, with a wounded young boy being carefully rescued from the debris in the darkness of the night. A civil defense worker at the site provided information that two individuals located on the upper floors managed to survive the trauma. Tragically, those who were on the lower floors did not survive the attack and remained trapped under the brash.
The Gaza Strip, with a population of approximately 2.3 million people, is home to an estimated 1,000 Christians, the majority of whom adhere to the Greek Orthodox faith. This highlights the diverse composition of the region and the impact of ongoing conflict on its residents, irrespective of their religious backgrounds.
The Israeli military stated that their fighter jets targeted a nearby command and control center, which they claimed was used for launching attacks against Israel. While the strike resulted in damage to a wall of the nearby church, the IDF emphasized that the church was not the intended target and that the incident is currently under review. Witnesses at the scene reported extensive damage inside the church. The Palestinian Churches Council, appointed by President Mahmoud Abbas, expressed in a statement that this incident reflects the Israeli occupation’s impact on unarmed civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.
