Has the Church of Saint Porphyrius actually been bombed by Israel?

The recent alleged bombing in the Orthodox Christian Church of Saint Porphyrius complex in Gaza has sent shockwaves through the international community. This historic church, which had previously been falsely claimed to be destroyed, was subject to yet another claim of being obliterated before most recent reports suggest that the Church is actually unharmed.

Where

Situated on Omar Al-Mukhtar Street in Gaza, the Church of Saint Porphyrius has been a place of worship and refuge for over a thousand years. 

This sacred site has endured the test of time, surviving the Crusades, wars, and the rise and fall of empires. It has provided solace for generations of Palestinians, particularly in times of fear and turmoil.

Reduced to rubble?

Footage of the historical site and religious commune emerged as scenes of devastation, as an Israeli airstrike was believed to have hit the complex. 

The Israeli military's recent airstrike on the church complex resulted in dozens of injuries, some in critical condition. Local rescuers are frantically sifting through the rubble in search of survivors, while bodies are being recovered from the destruction.

The timing of the attack is especially distressing, as it occurred when over 500 Palestinians who had lost their homes sought shelter within the church's complex

The most recent reports now debunk earlier claims, with the missile believed to have hit a building beside the church, leaving the Church unscathed.

The Orthodox Church responds

The Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem had strongly condemned the Israeli military's actions, emphasizing the historical and spiritual significance of the Church of Saint Porphyrius.

The church had stood as a symbol of resilience, a testament to the enduring faith of the Palestinian people, making its destruction all the more heart-wrenching.

Earlier misinformation

The previous controversy surrounding the church's alleged destruction had initially emerged when a self-described investigative journalist, Sulaiman Ahmed, posted on social media that the church had been bombed by Israeli forces. 

READ MORE: No, Israel did not bomb the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza

The church itself vehemently denied these claims, stating that it was in the "best condition" and actively taking in Palestinian refugees.

Ahmed later admitted his initial claim was inaccurate, but tragically, a mere ten days later, the Church of Saint Porphyrius has been reduced to rubble by an Israeli missile. 

Escalated violence

Though the Church survived the violence, the tragic incident that has claimed many lives also underscores the broader context of the ongoing violence in the region.

The situation in Gaza had already reached a critical point with escalating tensions. The Israeli government, responding to attacks by Hamas, had formally declared war on the militant group, vowing to protect its citizens and territory.

ALSO READ: Intense Israeli airstrikes in Gaza take war death toll past 5,000

As the world watches in horror, the toll of this conflict continues to mount. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 3,000 people have been killed since October 7 and 12,500 injured, while in Israel, more than 1,400 people were killed in Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7 and its aftermath.