(Adnkronos) – The religious, clergy and nuns, who are part of the Greek Orthodox complex of St. Porphyrius and the complex of the Catholic Church of the Holy Family where the Missionary Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa operate, have decided to remain in Gaza City “and continue to take care of all those who have found refuge there,” the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem – led respectively by Theophilos III and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa – announced in a joint statement, because “among those who have sought protection within the walls of these sites, many are weakened and malnourished due to the difficulties of recent months. Leaving Gaza City and trying to escape south would be nothing less than a death sentence”.
“More destruction and death have been added to a situation that was already dramatic before this operation,” it is emphasized. “It seems that Israel’s announcement that ‘the gates of hell will open’ is truly taking on a tragic form. This operation is not just a threat but a reality that has already begun to be implemented.”
Since the beginning of the war, the Greek Orthodox complex in Gaza City “has been a refuge for hundreds of civilians, including the elderly, women and children.” In the Latin complex “we have been hosting people with disabilities for many years, who are entrusted to the care of the Missionary Sisters of Charity. Like other residents of Gaza City, the refugees living in these sites will have to decide in conscience what to do.”
“We do not know exactly what will happen on the ground, not only for our community but for the entire population. We can only repeat what we have already said: there can be no future based on the captivity and displacement of Palestinians or on revenge. We echo the words spoken by Pope Leo XIV a few days ago,” on the respect due to all, even the smallest and weakest, by the powerful. “There is no reason to justify the deliberate and forced mass transfer of civilians,” it is further denounced.
“It is time to end this spiral of violence, to end the war and to prioritize the common good of the people. There has been enough devastation in the territories and in people’s lives. There is no reason to justify continuing to hold civilians as prisoners and hostages in dramatic conditions. It is time for healing for the families of all parties who have been suffering for a long time.”
The two patriarchates urge “with equal urgency the international community to act to end this senseless and destructive war and for the return of the missing and Israeli hostages.”
