Israeli Strike Hits Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza

On Monday, an Israeli strike hit a building in the compound of the St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza City, marking the second time the church has been struck by Israeli forces since October 7.

According to a Facebook post from the church, three people were wounded in the attack. The church shared pictures that showed damage to a roof and what appeared to be a munition that didn’t detonate smashed into the floor.

“We thank our Lord, and through the intercession of Saint Porphyrius, everyone is fine. We have three moderate injuries. Thank God for everything,” the church said.

Foad Ayyad, a displaced Christian in the church, told the Anadolu Agency that a total of two missiles hit the building. “I was inside the church with my child when we heard a loud explosion and saw smoke rising,” Ayyad said. “Israel does not differentiate between mosques and churches in its attacks.”

Khalil Sayegh, a Palestinian Christian who was recently interviewed by Antiwar.com, said his aunt was among the injured. “My aunt is in ok condition; she only had an injury in the arm she will be ok,” Sayegh wrote on X.

Justin Amash, a former member of the US House of Representatives, who has relatives in Gaza, said he received a call from one of his cousins after the strike.

“I just received a panicked phone call from a cousin in Gaza. He told me that there has been another IDF strike against Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church,” Amash, who is running for Senate as a Republican, wrote on X. “These horrific assaults against civilians in Gaza, including Christians like members of my family, must end immediately!”

Amash lost several relatives when Israel targeted the church back in October 2023. In an attack on October 18, Israeli strikes killed 18 Palestinian civilians who were sheltering at St. Porphyrius.

Israel has also targeted the only Catholic church in Gaza, the Holy Family Parish. In December 2023, the church’s compound came under siege, and two Palestinian Christian women were killed by Israeli sniper fire, and seven others were wounded.