In St. Petersburg, the Deputy Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, addressed a grave incident in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the UN’s position on protecting sacred sites. He stressed that religious places must be shielded from harm and remain free from attack, underscoring the international community’s duty to safeguard cultural and spiritual heritage in times of conflict. The UN’s stance is clear: violence against houses of worship cannot be tolerated, and safeguarding such spaces is essential to preserve human dignity and peace. (Attribution: UN)
On 20 October, Greece’s public broadcaster ERT reported a tragic development in which Israeli armed forces damaged the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrios in Gaza. The report highlighted the church as a sacred site and noted the severe consequences for local worshippers and the broader community. The incident drew swift reactions from international observers who urged restraint and accountability to minimize harm to religious communities. (Attribution: ERT)
Palestinian Ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafiz Nofal, conveyed that Palestinian authorities intend to address the attack by sending formal communications to Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The messages are expected to underline the impact on the Greek Church and seek assurances for protection of sacred sites under international norms. (Attribution: Palestinian Mission to Russia)
The attack against the Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza resulted in numerous casualties and injuries among civilians gathered at the site, according to reports from the region. The incident has intensified calls for immediate protection of worshippers and for independent verification of events to prevent further religiously targeted harm. (Attribution: regional press)
Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant described his government’s response as an “unprecedented” course of action intended to address the Gaza situation. He hinted at a long-lasting impact of the measures, signaling a commitment to a forceful response that could influence regional security dynamics for years to come. Global observers urged careful calibration of such statements to avoid escalation and to protect civilians. (Attribution: Israeli Ministry of Defense)