Church leaders have said that requests by the Israeli military for civilians to go away Gaza City ahead of its major offensive amount to an efficient “death sentence”.
A joint statement by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem warns that this is especially the case for many who are taking refuge within the few churches within the territory.
Israel has said it plans to take all of Gaza by force, with a serious offensive to take Gaza City expected imminently. Israel has said its actions are vital to forestall attacks by Hamas, although critics point to the human cost of the conflict.
Tens of hundreds have been killed, mostly civilians in Gaza, buildings have been levelled, and Gaza is now in a state of famine as a result of Israel’s tight restrictions on aid deliveries.
The Church of Saint Porphyrius (Eastern Orthodox) and the Holy Family Church (Catholic) are two of only three churches in Gaza. Throughout the conflict, each have been used as refuges by a whole lot of Christians caught up within the conflict.
Many of those looking for refuge are women and youngsters, and the elderly. The Holy Family Church has also taken in lots of with disabilities, who’re placed under the care of the Sisters Missionaries of Charity. Many are weakened and malnourished.
Israel has told civilians to go away the town and head south ahead of their planned offensive.
In their statement, the Orthodox and Catholic leaders spoke of the impracticalities of this as a result of the weakened condition of those taking refuge inside their partitions.
“Leaving Gaza City and attempting to flee to the south could be nothing lower than a death sentence,” they said.
“For this reason, the clergy and nuns have decided to stay and proceed to look after all those that will probably be within the compounds.”
The statement noted ominously that it was unclear what would occur to the small Christian community in Gaza City and to the churches there in consequence of Israel’s planned offensive.
Their statement concluded with a call to peace, “This will not be the proper way. There is not any reason to justify the deliberate and forcible mass displacement of civilians. It is time to finish this spiral of violence, to place an end to war and to prioritize the common good of the people.”
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