The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement condemning the Israeli army’s targeting of churches and religious institutions in the Gaza Strip.

The Patriarchate stressed that the attack, which led to the death of a woman and her daughter in the “Holy Family” Church, affiliated with the Latin Patriarchate, and the injury of seven others while they were trying to help others within the walls of the monastery, is a heinous criminal act targeting innocent civilians. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem pointed out that the indiscriminate bombing and sniping inside and around the shelters housing innocent civilians led to the killing of a large number of children and women in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of this bloody war. The Patriarchate cited Psalms (34:14): “Avoid evil and do good.” “Seek peace and go after it.”

In its call for international intervention, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem called on Israel to stop targeting places protected under international laws and conventions in times of war, including places of worship such as churches and mosques, as well as hospitals and other places considered shelters for civilians.

These demands reflect the Patriarchate’s commitment to human rights and urge the international community to intervene urgently to stop the tragedy of indiscriminate killing through bombing and sniping and to protect innocent people under these tragic circumstances.
The Patriarchate stressed that it will continue to carry out its humanitarian and moral role by sheltering all civilians in its churches and affiliated institutions in Gaza despite the pressure exerted by the Israeli government to empty these shelters of citizens, pointing out that the message of Jesus Christ to humanity is a message of love and peace and that the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem will not She abandons this holy message at all costs, concluding her statement with Christ’s words in the Gospel of Matthew (9:5): “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”