Israeli airstrike damages Catholic church in Gaza
Strike on the Catholic church of the Holy Family in Gaza. Photo: ACN UK
On December 11, 2023, an Israeli airstrike damaged the only Catholic church in Gaza, according to the website of the papal foundation of the Roman Catholic Church. Shrapnel strikes damaged the roof, solar panels, and water tanks.
On December 12, an unexploded missile was found near the Holy Family Church. The clergy view this as a miracle, claiming that in case of detonation, there would have been a huge number of casualties. The community is left without fuel, water, and electricity.
The resource also reports that since the beginning of the war in October, 22 Christians have already died, including 17 from a strike near the Orthodox church of St. Porphyrius.
A brief ceasefire allowed Christians taking refuge in the Catholic church to come out and check the condition of their homes. Many found ruins in their place.
"I waited until the shelling subsided a bit and went to check our house, where several other Christian families lived, only to find out that the entire residential building had been completely demolished, and nothing remained of it," says one Christian. "Everything we had, including all my childhood memories, became history."
"The next day, I removed the key from the keychain because I no longer need it; I no longer have a home," she added.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Israel was bombing Gaza using the "Gospel" AI system.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.