The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement, Thursday, denouncing, in the strongest terms, the Israeli bombing that targeted one of its church buildings in Gaza City.

The Patriarchate stressed in its statement that targeting churches and its affiliated institutions, in addition to the shelters they provide to protect innocent citizens, especially children, and women who lost their homes as a result of the Israeli bombing of residential areas during the past thirteen days, constitutes a war crime that cannot be ignored.

Orthodox Bishop Atallah Hanna issued a strongly worded audio appeal calling the Israeli attack at the church offices next to one of the oldest churches in the world saying that this is yet another “crime” to be added to the attack on Hospitals, Churches, and mosques.

The Patriarchate indicated that despite the clear exposure to the facilities and shelters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and other churches, the Baptist Hospital, schools, and other social institutions, it, along with the rest of the churches, is determined to continue performing its religious and moral duty.
The Patriarchate stressed that it would not abandon its religious and humanitarian duty derived from its Christian values ​​to provide everything necessary in times of war and peace alike.

The media office of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior and National Security stated that the occupation forces targeted, through a missile strike on Thursday, a building adjacent to the ancient Church of Pophilius on Omar Al-Mukhtar Street in Gaza. According to the Ministry, one of the buildings adjacent to the Greek Orthodox Church in central Gaza City collapsed as a result of Israeli raids, resulting in large numbers of injuries, including serious ones. Citizens reported that they received distress calls from under the bombed rubble.
The Church of Saint Porphyrius is an Eastern Orthodox church in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City. Its establishment dates back about 1,600 years. It is the oldest church in the city and the third oldest church in the world. The church was named after Saint Porphyrius, who was buried in it. The saint’s grave is located in the northeastern corner of the church.