WCC condemns bombing of Greek Orthodox Centre in Gaza

By Lisa Zengarini

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has expressed its solidarity with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem after the recent destruction of its Orthodox Cultural Centre in Gaza.

The centre, sheltering some 500 people, was bombarded by Israeli forces during an overnight attack between Monday and Tuesday on the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, in the southern part of the blockaded Strip.

No one was killed, but all IDP’s belongings, including blankets, food supplies and gas cylinders, were buried in the rubble.

The Israeli air-strike on St. Porphyrios compound

The destruction came nearly two weeks after the Israeli air attack on the compound of the St. Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza, on October 19, killing 18 people and injuring several others.  The remaining civilians who had found shelter in the compound are now hosted in the neighbouring Holy Family Catholic Church, presently sheltering some 700 people.

In a statement the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem strongly condemned this second attack hitting one of its buildings, recalling that “social, cultural, and sports centres have become vital providers of essential humanitarian services and safe havens for those affected by Israeli airstrikes targeting residential areas.”

An unjustified attack 

The Patriarchate further stated that the assault on the centre and its service facilities “constitutes a direct and unjustified attack on one of the pillars of culture and social services in Gaza,”, noting “with grave concern” that the since the beginning of the war  Israeli military have  targeted 19 places of worship in Gaza., including mosques and churches.

 “Such attacks on civilians, particularly children, and the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, cannot be justified on rational or humanitarian grounds and are fundamentally at odds with even the most basic moral values,” read the statement, urging, once again, for the “immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”

The appeal  was echoed by the Word Council of Churches general secretary Rev.  Jerry Pillay who expressed solidarity with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate .

WCC: attacks on civilians violate international law

“Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are in clear violation of international law,” said Rev. Pillay. “We stand with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and many around the world who are calling to protect places of refuge, and to stop injuring and killing innocent people.”

Since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out nearly four weeks ago, after Hamas’ deadly rampage in Israel on October 7, the death toll has exceeded 10,000 according to Palestinian and Israeli sources.

Over 1,400 people  have died on the Israeli side, mainly civilians killed during Hamas' initial attack, and 19 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operation. Palestinian deathtoll  has risen above 9,000.

Discussions over a ceasefire or a "humanitarian pause"

So far Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected growing calls for a cease-fire, saying it would be a "surrender" to Hamas.

U.S. and Arab leaders have raised pressure on Israel to ease its siege of Gaza and at least briefly halt its attacks in order to aid civilians. U.S. President Joe Biden has suggested a humanitarian “pause” in the fightingwith the aim of letting in aid for Palestinians and let out more foreign nationals and wounded. Around 800 people left over the past two days through the Rafah crossing bordering Egypt.