Israel and Hamas continue to clash in an escalation of violence that continues to claim victims. In the midst of this devastating conflict, an Orthodox church was hit by an Israeli attack, killing at least 16 people and injuring many more.
The Saint-Porphyry Church, located in the old quarter of Gaza, had become a refuge for many displaced people fleeing the fighting. However, last Thursday it was hit by an Israeli airstrike, destroying part of the church and other nearby buildings. Hamas immediately reacted, deploring this attack and accusing Israel of having deliberately targeted places of worship.
The Israeli army admitted carrying out the strike, saying it targeted terrorist infrastructure belonging to Hamas. They said a Hamas terrorist’s command and control center was near the church and was used to carry out attacks against Israel. They also stressed that Hamas was deliberately positioning itself in areas populated by civilians, thereby using the population of Gaza as human shields.
This attack on a church sparked strong condemnation from the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. In a statement, the patriarch denounced the airstrike as a war crime, stressing that targeting churches and the shelters they provide to civilians constitutes a flagrant violation of human rights.
This tragedy also raises questions about the safety of religious minorities in Gaza. Christians, particularly Orthodox, have already faced hardship and a decline in their numbers in the Gaza Strip. Before the Hamas takeover in 2007, there were more than 7,000 Christians in Gaza, but today there are only about 1,000. This attack on the Saint-Porphyre church only worsens the precarious situation of the Christian community in the region.
As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to rage, it is essential to remember the importance of protecting places of worship and the lives of civilians. The use of force against religious structures and shelters for the displaced is unacceptable and must be condemned by the international community.
In this environment of violence and destruction, it is essential to seek peaceful solutions and promote dialogue to achieve a just and lasting resolution to the conflict. The protection of human rights, including freedom of religion, must be a top priority to ensure lasting peace in the region.
In conclusion, the attack on the Orthodox church in Gaza is a new tragedy in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It highlights the suffering suffered by civilians and religious minorities in this region torn by violence. The international community must act to put an end to this escalation of violence and work towards a just and lasting peace in the region.