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Clergy and nuns from Gaza City’s Greek Orthodox and Catholic churches said they will remain in their compounds despite Israel’s planned offensive to seize the city, vowing to care for civilians who cannot flee.
In a joint statement, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said the Saint Porphyrius compound and Holy Family Church have sheltered hundreds of civilians since the war began in October 2023, including the elderly, children and people with disabilities.
The church leaders said many inside are “weakened and malnourished,” warning that fleeing south would be “nothing less than a death sentence.” They added that clergy and nuns have chosen to stay “to continue to care for all those who will be in the compounds.”
The patriarchates condemned the ongoing war, calling for an end to “captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge,” and urged the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. “It is now time for the healing of the long-suffering families on all sides,” they said.
In July, an Israeli strike on the Holy Family Church compound killed three and injured several more. The military later attributed the incident to a misfired munition. The attack drew international criticism and prompted Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III to visit Gaza.
With information from TimesofIsrael.com.
