A potentially devastating incident was narrowly averted when a missile failed to detonate upon impact on a hall attached to the Greek Orthodox Church of St Porphyrius in Gaza City. Source: Caritas Australia.
The missile penetrated the roof and struck a room before reaching a hall full of civilians seeking refuge, leaving three people injured.
Witnesses reported a shell falling from the ceiling, inciting panic and screams.
The church compound comprised three buildings, one of which was destroyed in October 2023. The church itself, which is the oldest active church in the city and one of the oldest in the world, sustained some damage to an outer wall in the October attack but remains standing.
A Caritas Jerusalem employee present during the incident expressed profound relief saying, “Thank the Lord it did not detonate, otherwise we would have been left with nothing but remnants.”
In a statement on the incident, Caritas Jerusalem expressed thanks to God for protecting those seeking refuge in the church compound, while reiterating that nowhere is safe in Gaza.
Caritas Australia prays alongside them for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilian lives.
In the first six months of this year 9137 people received medical assistance from Caritas Jerusalem, with 5153 of these in the north, 3157 in the south around Rafah, and the remainder around Al Nuseirat in the centre of Gaza. A further 879 people in the West Bank have also received medical assistance.
To support Caritas Australia’s Gaza Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/gaza.
FULL STORY
The Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City remains after missile fails to explode (Caritas Australia)
