Posted on 10/21/2023 10:17:10 PM PDT by Morgana
A former U.S. congressman said several of his relatives were among the casualties when an Israeli airstrike hit a church in Gaza, which killed at least 18 people.
Justin Amash, a Palestinian-American who formerly represented Michigan, revealed on social media that his relatives had been taking refuge in the Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church compound in Gaza, partially destroyed by an Israeli airstrike on Thursday.
"With great sadness, I have now confirmed that several of my relatives were killed at Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church in Gaza, where they had been sheltering, when part of the complex was destroyed as the result of an Israeli airstrike," Amash wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Give rest, O Lord, to their souls, and may their memories be eternal."
The Israel Defense Forces admitted that a portion of the church complex had been damaged during an airstrike targeting Hamas military compounds but maintained that the church itself was not the intended target. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem accused Israel of a "war crime."
Israel has carried out retaliatory airstrikes since Hamas attacked communities in southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing over 1,400 civilians, including 30 Americans.
Amash was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2021 and left the Republican Party in 2019 to join the Libertarian Party.
Palestinian officials noted that the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius sheltered around 500 Muslims and Christians from Israeli bombings. Palestinian health officials claim as many as 16 of the victims were Christians.
"The Palestinian Christian community has endured so much," Amash tweeted. "Our family is hurting badly. May God watch over all Christians in Gaza — and all Israelis and Palestinians who are suffering, whatever their religion or creed."
Fr. Issa Musleh of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Bethlehem told Al Jazeera dozens were found injured as rescue efforts continue. Ibrahim Jahsan, a Christian residing in Gaza, had taken refuge in the church along with his pregnant wife and two young children. He told Al Jazeera that he believed that the church would provide a safe sanctuary during the conflict.
On Friday, a mass funeral was held in the church courtyard where the bodies, wrapped in white sheets, lay next to the debris that claimed their lives, The Guardian reported, noting that four of the deceased were small children.
Palestinian health officials report over 4,100 Palestinians killed since airstrikes began, with over 13,000 injured.
In a joint statement, United Nations agencies called for a "humanitarian ceasefire, along with immediate, unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza to allow humanitarian actors to reach civilians in need, save lives and prevent further human suffering." The agencies state that over 1.6 million people in Gaza are in critical need of humanitarian aid.
The Israeli government warned over 1 million people in northern Gaza last week to evacuate to southern Gaza as it readies for a potential ground invasion.
On Saturday, the first convoy of humanitarian assistance crossed into Gaza since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.
"The opening of this essential supply route was the result of days of diplomatic engagement at the highest levels," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement. "I made it clear from the outset of this crisis — in both my public statements and private conversations — that humanitarian assistance was a critical and urgent need that had to get moving, and I express my deep personal appreciation for the leadership of President Al-Sisi of Egypt, Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, and the United Nations to allow the resumption of this assistance."
Because Israel warned them of attack and gave them plenty of notice to pack up and get out.
If they don't like the consequences, then it's on them. Talk to their muslim compatriots who sneak attacked Israel in the first place.
What do you expect? Israel would just take it and roll over and expose their jugular?
The muslims should have expected retaliation and not even needed the warning Israel so graciously and courteously gave them in the first place. Israel went above and beyond in that regard.
Christians are always ready to sacrifice their own life for the gospel. Or at least we should be. That doesn’t mean we walk into a war, but that doesn’t mean we run and hide either. Jesus hid Himself many times because it was not time. Reading these accounts is weird, like He could disappear in a crowd.
When it was time for Him to give up His life, He prayed like I have never and He went.
All Christians wrestle with this, as did Paul.. to live is Christ to die is gain.
If these Christians wanted to stay in Gaza, it was their choice. Hiding in a church is reasonable, to die there with other brothers and sisters sounds great. I could see where the rest of the family is angry snd vengeful, because they won’t understand until they are truly serving Jesus as Lord.
Sorry Amash, but your relatives had been told over a week ago to get out of the area. Israel gave warning, they didnt start the war but humanely gave warning in hopes civilians would be wise enough to leave for safety. God will judge who obediently followed His plan for each of them, and who just did as they themself choose.
According to a Greek news article I read, the number of Christians in Gaza has declined from over 7,000 in 2007 when Hamas took over to less than 1,000 today.
There’s always someone arguing about something.
The apologist position held by so many for Muslims and Islam starting with the pope says volumes
When an Islamist commits a mass shooting and says he did it for allah, the authorities and media scream impossible Islam is a religion of peace it must be something else, mental illness, Trump, white supremacist…..
The history of Muhammad and islam, as well as what is in the koran is not hard to find and yet…..
Moral: Being a Christian in Gaza is stupid
They don’t care. It’s a combination of racism and idolatry for the state of Israel. Palestinians aren’t real Christians to them because they somehow are blocking the way to the second coming.
Gaza is a war zone. The best course for any innocent bystanders is get out any way they can.
I ran the first primary against him before he tweeted against Trump. Justins family are great people. He father is amazing. Justin is pompous and arrogant but nobody deserves this. My heart goes out to his family.
Now pick up a rifle and fight for Israel!!
Hamas needs to be put on trial, isn’t churches off limits to bombing according to the Geneva Convention?
Hey Justin, they were warned to leave. I guess they didn’t. Why didn’t Justin arrange for them to leave?
It’s WAR!
YOU started it!
You pays your money and you takes your chances.
Collateral damage is a FACT OF WAR.
This is WAR!
It is time to wipe ALL terrorists (AND those that support them) from the face of the earth!
WHY would a Christian be in Gaza? FOOLS!
“I know this may come as a complete surprise to a lot of you but there are actually Christians in Gaza, have been for about 2000 years now.”
And this may come as complete shock to you, but....
since when have Christians been exempt or protected from the effects of war? Quite the opposite has been the case, in fact. What makes “this” different “this” time?
Why do you seem to think that ‘these Christians’ should be special enough to not have to deal with the disastrous effects of war, despite the fact that they have apparently chosen to be right in the big fat thick & middle of the most heated (due to hatred of the Jews) and ongoing war on planet earth?
I don’t think we have the technology yet, to design a bomb to discriminate between Christians and Non-Christians.
“I don’t think we have the technology yet, to design a bomb to discriminate between Christians and Non-Christians.”
Not yet. But once the AC shows his ugly puss, all bets are off. Supernatural things will really get rolling then.
Sorry to hear that. Condolences and prayers.
Pharasie.
I care deeply about the true devoted Born Again Christians in Gaza, and I should pray for all in Gaza, and I will
That doesn’t change the fact of what Israel must do.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.