Several are said to have been killed in an attack on a historic church in Gaza. A war crime by Israel, according to the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
It is a building belonging to the Church of Saint Porphyrios – where hundreds of people have taken refuge – that was bombed, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Even the church building itself – one of the oldest in the world – is said to have been damaged. The original church was built as early as 425.
The incident comes days after Israel – despite its denial – was accused of bombing a hospital in Gaza run by the Anglican Church and located just 250 meters from the Church of Saint Porphyry. In that attack, up to 500 people are said to have been killed.
One of those who stayed at the church tells the WSJ that he believes a child is among the dead.
The Israeli Defense Force, IDF, says it is investigating the incident.
The Patriarch: Rather die than flee
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem writes in a statement that it is an air attack on the part of Israel, Tass reports. The church calls the attack a “war crime” aimed at “innocent civilians, especially women and children, who lost their homes as a result of Israeli airstrikes”.
Jerusalem Patriarch Alexios of Tiberias said earlier this week that he will not leave Gaza as long as Christians remain in the area.
– If I die, a dignified death will be my fate, he said.
JUST IN: Explosion hits Orthodox Church in Gaza City where people were seeking shelter. Reports of multiple casualties pic.twitter.com/PPt51Ur8Wy
— BNO News (@BNONews) October 19, 2023
RELATED ARTICLES
- UN says 70% of Gaza's population faces Catastrophic Hunger
- Israeli Rabbi Calls to Genocide Gaza, Says Torah Demands Killing Babies
- South Africa says it wants 'end of genocide' in Gaza
- Italy Blames Russia For Hamas Attacks On Israel
- Syrian Foreign Minister says his Country is Ready for War with Israel
Loading ...
