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.
The ancient Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church in Gaza, a significant historical site dating back to 425 AD, has reportedly been struck by Israeli airstrikes. The church bears the name of Saint Porphyrius, the bishop renowned for introducing Christianity to Gaza during his tenure… pic.twitter.com/5aL14EQnYK
— Jehad Abusalim جهاد أبو سليم (@JehadAbusalim) October 19, 2023
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.
🇵🇸 Footage of the destroyed Church of Saint Porphyrius.
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) October 19, 2023
Local rescuers are now searching for survivors under the rubble. The attack came as Palestinians who had lost their homes took refuge in the church.
The shrine stood for about one and a half thousand years, surviving the… pic.twitter.com/85iKxiVaJs
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.
Gaza |
— Younis Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) October 19, 2023
The Israeli massacre against the Palestinian Christian community after bombing the Church of Saint Porphyrius (3th oldest church in the world), leading to 40 Palestinians murdered.
Death tolls expected to dramatically rise in the upcoming hours pic.twitter.com/8dKpFWsZ6d
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
“They bombed us, where shall we go? There is no other places left”.
— Younis Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) October 19, 2023
A christian who survived the bombing at the historical Church of Saint Porphyrius. 2 Palestinians killed and dozens injured. There are still many under the rubbles. https://t.co/g3q9rghAr4 pic.twitter.com/XsEt8lWCtj
The most recent reports now debunk earlier claims, with the missile believed to have hit a building beside the church, leaving the Church unscathed.
GAZA—The sun has risen, to expose—once again—the media for failing to independently corroborate reports.
— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) October 20, 2023
The Greek-Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius, which Palestinians claimed was bombed by Israel last night, remains standing, although a building next to it was targeted. pic.twitter.com/JS1weE7s2i
Last night, an Israeli airstrike hit near the Church of Saint Porphyrius, causing a concrete assembly hall/council building on the campus to collapse. pic.twitter.com/7h7cQNcZtp
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) October 20, 2023
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.
BREAKING: ISRAEL BOMBS AND DESTROYS THE LARGEST CHURCH IN PALESTINE
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) October 9, 2023
Israel has bombed the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza.
The church is the THIRD OLDEST CHRISTIAN temple in the WORLD.
The irony lies in Christian Zionists supporting the destruction of their… pic.twitter.com/8GoObx9xeO
The church itself vehemently denied these claims, stating that it was in the "best condition" and actively taking in Palestinian refugees.
The church confirmed it has remained untouched and they are taking in Palestinian refugees who need help. pic.twitter.com/faFyl191n0
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) October 9, 2023
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.
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.