Attack on the Orthodox Church in Gaza, killing 18 people. The Hamas Information Minister in Gaza announced that Israel bombed the church and that dozens of Christian and Muslim families, who were forced to leave their homes, took refuge in the building.
The Israeli Armed Forces reject these accusations. An Israeli army spokesman said of today’s bombing: “The Israeli army can state unequivocally that the church was not the target of our raid.”
According to the Israeli military, the fighters’ target was Hamas’s command and control center, from where rockets and mortar shells are fired into Israel. During the bombing, the church wall collapsed, which was later acknowledged by the Israelis who learned of the civilian casualties.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned what it described as “an Israeli bombing of one of our churches in Gaza City.”
“The church provided shelter to approximately 500 people, including 5 Caritas employees, along with their families. At least 17 people lost their lives and others are still under the rubble. Among those protected were 5 dedicated Caritas Jerusalem employees, as well as their families inside the hall,” he requested. A total of 83 people. Safety. It is unfortunate that 26-year-old Viola, a CJ laboratory technician, lost her life along with her child and husband. Among the victims are also Viola’s sister and her two children. Caritas Jerusalem says.
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