The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged all sides involved in the Middle East conflict to protect civilians and safeguard religious sites. Reports from St. Petersburg and Gaza describe the impact of the fighting on the Porphyry monastery’s vicinity, illustrating how religious landmarks can become focal points of danger. Agencies like TASS have documented these events as part of ongoing coverage.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement calling for respect for civilian safety and the protection of places of worship by every party. The message stressed that civilians must not be harmed and sacred sites must remain secure, reinforcing that humanitarian norms apply to all actors in the conflict.
There are accounts of substantial civilian suffering linked to the attacks on religious communities in the Gaza Strip, including the Greek Orthodox Church. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed responsibility for damage to the church complex and urged accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued remarks underscoring the gravity of the incident, labeling it a war crime and affirming a commitment to uphold religious duties and moral responsibilities despite ongoing hostilities. The leadership emphasized the need for protection of Christian communities and their sacred spaces within the broader crisis.
On 7 October, Hamas launched a large-scale assault, firing thousands of rockets into Israeli territory and announcing Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Militants reportedly breached parts of Israeli territory, seizing equipment and taking a number of hostages. In response, Israeli leaders declared that the nation was at war and mobilized its security apparatus to address the threat.
The Israel Defense Forces dubbed their operation as Iron Swords, targeting military infrastructure associated with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Concurrently, Israel’s National Security Council decided to restrict the flow of essential resources, including water, food, materials, electricity, and fuel, to the Gaza region in an effort to degrade the adversary’s capabilities and leadership command structures.
Earlier, observers in Russia discussed the ongoing conflict and speculated about potential timelines for an end to the fighting between Israel and Hamas. These discussions reflected a broader international interest in ceasing hostilities and stabilizing the region, though no definitive timeline had been established by any party at that moment.