ISRAEL “DEEPLY REGRETS” GAZA CHURCH STRIKE, PROMISES INVESTIGATION
Israel has expressed deep regret over an airstrike that hit a historic Christian church compound in the Gaza Strip, resulting in multiple civilian casualties and sparking international condemnation. The Israeli military confirmed the strike occurred during its ongoing operations against Hamas but emphasized that the church was not the intended target.
The incident took place at the compound of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius, one of the oldest churches in the region, dating back to the 5th century. According to reports from church officials and local health authorities, the blast killed at least 18 people, including women and children, who were seeking refuge in the church premises. Dozens more were injured, many seriously.
In a rare public statement on the matter, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was targeting a nearby Hamas command and control center and that it is “aware of reports indicating that a wall of the church was damaged.” The IDF expressed “deep regret over the harm caused to civilians” and stated it was conducting a thorough review of the strike.
“The IDF takes precautions to avoid harming civilians and religious sites, and the incident will be examined with the utmost seriousness,” a spokesperson said. “We deeply regret any harm to the innocent.”
The strike prompted strong reactions from Christian leaders and global human rights organizations. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the attack, saying it violated the sanctity of the church and accused Israel of disregarding places of worship in its military campaign. “This is a war crime,” said a representative of the Patriarchate. “The lives of the vulnerable should be protected, not destroyed.”
Pope Francis also weighed in, calling the loss of civilian life in Gaza “unacceptable” and urging for the protection of religious sites and innocent lives in conflict zones. In Washington, the U.S. State Department said it was in close contact with Israeli authorities and expected a transparent investigation. “We are saddened by the loss of life and call for a full accounting of what happened,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
The incident adds to growing international scrutiny of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has led to a mounting civilian death toll since the outbreak of hostilities. The United Nations has warned that overcrowded shelters and limited humanitarian access make the civilian population especially vulnerable.
Human rights groups have urged Israel to take greater care in distinguishing between military targets and protected civilian sites, including hospitals, schools, and places of worship. Amnesty International called for an independent investigation into the church strike and said both sides in the conflict must uphold international humanitarian law.
As of now, the church remains partially destroyed, with rescue workers still recovering bodies from the rubble. Survivors have been relocated to other overcrowded shelters, with many expressing fear that no place in Gaza is truly safe.
The Israeli government has reiterated its commitment to conducting a swift investigation and said it remains open to coordination with international observers to assess the damage and avoid future civilian harm