18 people were killed in the attack on an Orthodox church in Gaza

At least 18 people became victims of the attack on the Orthodox Church of St. Porphyry in the Gaza Strip, TASS reports, citing a joint statement of the churches of Jerusalem, released by the press service of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church.

It is reported that at least 9 children were among the dead. It is reported that dozens of people may be trapped under the rubble.

Built around 1150, the Church of Saint Porphyry is said to be the oldest Christian church still in use by believers in Gaza. Located in the historic Gaza region, the church has provided refuge to people of various faiths for many generations.

On the morning of October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented-scale rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement. At the same time, organized groups of Hamas fighters began to penetrate into Israeli territory, who easily overcame the first line of defense of the Israeli army, took hostages and caused serious damage. Israel later launched Operation Iron Swords, attacking the Gaza Strip and cutting off all supplies of water, food, electricity, medicine and fuel.

At the moment, the number of deaths from Israeli army strikes in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 4,100, including 19 Russian citizens, and the number of wounded has exceeded 13 thousand. In addition, Hamas militants may be holding up to 150 Israelis hostage.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to stop all hostilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a resolution to this crisis is possible only on the basis of a “two-state” formula approved by the UN Security Council, that is, the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.