Medical sources in Gaza reported today that over 50 people died from Israeli airstrikes last night, according to Reuters.
The Palestinian Interior Ministry stated that Israeli planes bombed two mosques in the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza: the Imad Aql mosque and the Tawba mosque. Several houses in Khan Yunis city were also targeted.
The French Press Agency quoted government media office head, Salama Ma’rouf, saying, “More than 55 martyrs fell between 1:00 and 6:00 am”, adding that “more than 30 homes were destroyed”.
The war in Gaza continues for the 16th consecutive day since Hamas and other Palestinian factions launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7th. They stormed military sites and settlements near Gaza, killing and capturing hundreds.
Since then, Israel has been launching air, sea, and artillery strikes on Gaza. A significant number of armored units are now positioned on Gaza’s borders, signaling a potential ground assault.
Notably, the Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and Palestinian health officials have reported that an Israeli airstrike hit the Church of Saint Porphyrius in the Gaza Strip, which housed hundreds of Palestinian refugees.
The media office of the Hamas-run government in Gaza stated that 18 Palestinian Christians have died as a result, while the church has not provided the final casualty count.
The Israeli military acknowledged that a part of the church suffered damage due to a strike on an armed faction’s command center and said they are reviewing the incident.
Palestinian officials stated that at least 500 Muslims and Christians had sought refuge inside the church from Israeli bombardment.
The Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem released a statement strongly condemning the Israeli airstrike on one of its church buildings in Gaza, according to Reuters.
Video footage from the church compound showed an injured child being pulled from beneath the rubble in the evening.
