Gaza: Israeli air strikes on Gaza early Thursday killed at least 22 Palestinians, including women and children, according to health officials in the Hamas-run enclave. The strikes also caused partial damage to Gaza’s Church of Saint Porphyrius, one of the region’s oldest churches and a site often mentioned by the late Pope Benedict XVI.
The attacks took place in central Gaza’s Al-Zawaida neighbourhood, targeting what the Israeli military claimed was a Hamas command centre. Palestinian authorities reported that most of the casualties were civilians sheltering in nearby residential buildings. Among the dead were children as young as five.
During the assault, the nearby Saint Porphyrius Church suffered damage. Church officials and local Christian leaders confirmed that parts of the building’s historic structure were hit, though no fatalities were reported inside the church compound. The church, which dates back to the 5th century, had been sheltering displaced families.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the strike, calling it “an attack on a sacred place of refuge and prayer.” It added that this was the second time the church compound has been struck since the war began in October 2023.
The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas militants hiding in civilian areas, a strategy that has drawn international criticism for the high number of civilian casualties. More than 38,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, according to local health authorities.
As the war drags into its tenth month, international pressure continues to mount on both sides to reach a ceasefire. The latest strike further complicates ongoing talks, as humanitarian groups warn of worsening conditions for Gaza’s remaining population.
