Jerusalem Patriarchate condemns Israeli Occupation's bombing of Gaza churches, calls it 'war crime'

The Jerusalem Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church strongly condemned Thursday evening the Israeli Occupation's bombing, which targeted one of its churches in Gaza.

In a statement, the Patriarchate described the targeting of churches and their affiliated institutions, as well as the shelters they provide to protect innocent citizens, especially children and women, as "a war crime that cannot be ignored." It revealed that most of the families seeking refuge in the church and its facilities "have lost their homes due to Israeli airstrikes on residential areas over the past thirteen days."

The Patriarchate affirmed its determination, along with all churches, "to continue its religious and moral duty by providing assistance, support, and shelter to those in need, despite ongoing Israeli demands to evacuate these institutions of civilians and the pressures exerted on the churches in this regard."

It also announced the churches' continued commitment to their "religious and humanitarian duty derived from their Christian values, to provide everything necessary in times of both war and peace, despite the clear targeting of the facilities and shelters of the Jerusalem Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church, along with other churches, the Baptist hospital, schools, and other social institutions."