The Palestinian movement Hamas sharply condemned the Israeli attack on a church in Gaza, calling it “a new crime against holy sites and innocent displaced persons.”
“This is part of a comprehensive war of extermination against the Palestinian people,” said the Hamas statement published on Telegram.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the attack on the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, also known as the Latin Church, describing it as “a complete crime that falls within the framework of genocide” being carried out by Israel.
In a statement, the Ministry said that Israel continues to bear responsibility for deliberate attacks on places of worship, hospitals, schools, and shelters.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret over the attack on the church in Gaza.
“Israel expresses deep regret over the damage caused to the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza and over any civilian casualties,” stated the post on social media, adding that an investigation is ongoing.
The Ministry claims that “Israel never targets churches or religious sites,” although dozens of mosques and churches have been attacked since the beginning of the war in Gaza.
Earlier, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said in an interview: “What we do know for sure is that a tank – the Israeli army claims it was a mistake, but we are not certain about that – directly hit the Church of the Holy Family.”
Pope Leo also condemned the attack, calling for “an urgent ceasefire” and expressing “deep hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace in the region.”
Last month, an independent United Nations (UN) commission published a report stating that Israel committed a crime against humanity – “extermination” – through attacks on Palestinian civilians sheltering in religious sites and schools in Gaza.
The report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, stated that Israel destroyed more than half of all religious and cultural sites in that territory, as well as more than 90 percent of school and university buildings in Gaza.
Photo: NBC news
