The Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchates of Jerusalem have condemned Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City, warning that forcing civilians to flee south would be “nothing less than a death sentence.”
The Israeli military is intensifying its offensive in Gaza City, destroying entire neighbourhoods and leaving civilians with no safe refuge as it seeks control of the Strip’s largest urban centre.
According to the Palestinian Civil Defence, more than 1,000 buildings in the Zeitoun and Sabra areas have been completely demolished since Israel began its sustained assault on August 6, while residents endure an Israeli-induced famine across the besieged enclave.
Hospital sources told Al Jazeera that at least 64 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza, including 13 people who lost their lives while seeking desperately needed aid.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, August 26, the patriarchates said evacuation orders had already been issued for several neighbourhoods amid heavy bombardment.
They stressed that their church compounds in Gaza City, the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius complex and the Latin Holy Family compound, have sheltered hundreds of displaced civilians, including the elderly, women, children and people with disabilities.
“Leaving Gaza City and trying to flee to the south would be nothing less than a death sentence. For this reason, the clergy and nuns have decided to remain and continue to care for all those who will be in the compounds,” the statement declared.
The patriarchates also rejected mass displacement as unjustifiable, insisting there can be “no future based on captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge.”
They appealed to the international community to act “to end this senseless and destructive war.”
Source: Anadolu Agency
