Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza Hit by Israeli Air Strike

October 20, 2023

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) – A Greek Orthodox church in the Gaza Strip that was serving as a refuge for hundreds of displaced Palestinians was struck by an Israeli air strike overnight, according to the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Palestinian health officials have confirmed the death of 16 people in the attack.

There has been no official announcement from the church regarding the casualties.

The Israeli military claims that the strike targeted a militant command center located near the church and that it is currently investigating the incident.

According to Palestinian officials, approximately 500 Muslims and Christians sought shelter in the Greek Orthodox Church of St Porphyrius to escape Israeli bombardments.

In a statement, the Orthodox Church expressed its strongest condemnation of the Israeli air strike on its church compound in Gaza.

The Hamas-run government’s health ministry stated that 16 Palestinian Christians lost their lives in the incident.

Footage from the scene at the church compound showed a wounded boy being carried out of the rubble in the dark of the night. A civil defense worker reported that two people on upper floors survived, while those on lower floors had been killed and were still trapped under the debris.

The population of Gaza, which stands at 2.3 million, is estimated to include around 1,000 Christians, with the majority being Greek Orthodox.

The Israeli military stated that their fighter jets targeted a nearby command and control center that was used to carry out attacks against Israel. They denied intentionally targeting the church and pledged to review the incident.

Witnesses, however, reported extensive damage inside the church.

The Palestinian Churches Council, appointed by President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the attack and stated that it exemplifies the Israeli occupation’s brutality towards unarmed civilians.

Israel has been carrying out relentless attacks in Gaza, resulting in the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. The conflict escalated after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel which claimed the lives of 1,400 people.

According to Palestinian health officials, more than 4,100 people have been killed by Israeli strikes, and over a million have been displaced. Civilians in Gaza are facing desperate conditions with shortages of food, water, fuel, and medical supplies.

About the author: Nidal al-Mughrabi is a senior correspondent with nearly 25 years of experience covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He has reported on various wars and was present for the signing of the first historic peace accord between the two sides.

Source: Reuters

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