The Palestinian Ministry of Interior revealed that there were seven churches in Gaza, Palestine, which were damaged after the Israeli troops began their aggression on October 7. Based on data released by the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor (HRM), three of the churches are historical churches located in various areas of the Gaza Strip.
One of them, the Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church, is the oldest church in the Gaza Strip. The church was attacked by Israel on October 19. The attack left dozens of people dead and dozens of others injured.
The church has become a temporary shelter for residents since Israeli troops and the Palestinian Hamas militia group fought.
Israeli army troops also confirmed that they attacked the Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church. They claim there is a Hamas headquarters near the church.
“The warplanes targeted the headquarters of military members of the Hamas organization involved in firing rockets and mortars into the territory of the State of Israel. "The plane launched an attack on the target, and the 'blast wave' resulting from the attack caused damage to the walls of the church located in the area," said the Israeli press agency, as reported by Anadolu Agency, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
The figure for damage to churches in Gaza was confirmed by Ikrami Al Mudallal as spokesperson for the Ministry of Endowments in the Gaza Strip. He said, apart from churches, there were 59 churches that were completely destroyed as a result of Israeli attacks.
"The number of mosques completely destroyed has increased to 59," said Al Mudallah, quoted by Anadolu Agency.
He then said, "In addition to varying levels of damage, there have been 136 mosques and three churches [damaged] since Israel's war on Gaza began on October 7."
Israeli troops launched aggression in Palestine on October 7. They are also at war with Hamas. Since the war, Israel has attacked places of worship, schools and hospitals. They claim the area around these places is a Hamas hideout. However, several public facility managers denied these accusations.
