Deadly Israeli airstrike near Gaza's oldest church

St Porphyrius of Gaza. Icon from Mt Athos Wiki Image

Source: Caritas Jerusalem/LPJ/ICN

Several news agencies have reported that an Israeli airstrike near the church of St Porphyrios (Porphyrius) in Gaza yesterday, killed several women and children from Muslim community and injured several Christian women and children.

In October last year, St Porphyrios church hall was the scene of a missile attack which killed at least 17 refugees sheltering there and injured dozens more. Among those killed was a Caritas Jerusalem staff member along with her husband and child. Her sister and two children were also among the casualties.

The hall provided refuge for 411 people and five Caritas staff members were working there.

According to a contemporary biography by Mark the Deacon, St Porphyrios was the bishop of Gaza from 395 to 420. He is said to have evangelised the pagan population there and was buried under the church.