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CAFOD

Statement on airstrike on St Porphyrios Church hall in Gaza

19 October 2023

We are shocked to hear from our partner at Caritas Jerusalem that a staff member along with her child and husband were killed when the hall adjacent to the St Porphyrios Church in Gaza was struck last night. Her sister and two children were also among the casualties. The hall provided refuge for 411 people and five Caritas staff members were present.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and all those injured and affected.

We stand with the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in strongly condemning the attack which claimed the lives of innocent civilians, who were sheltering following 13 days of airstrikes, and call for an immediate cessation to the violence which is causing such suffering and bloodshed.

Where they are able to, our partners continue to respond, helping those most in need.

Please pray for all those who have lost loved ones, have been injured and displaced, and live in fear as the violence continues.

Pray with us for peace

Join us in prayer by adding your name as a sign of your prayers, which we will share in solidarity with our partners who are responding to this humanitarian crisis.