Plight of Christians sheltering in Gaza church escalates, says UK lawmaker with family trapped inside
The dire situation for Christians sheltering in a Gaza church has sparked widespread condemnation Amidst allegations of an Israeli sniper killing two women, UK lawmaker Layla Moran, whose family is among those trapped, has described the situation as 'beyond desperate'
The situation has become "extremely dire" for individuals taking shelter inside a church in Gaza, where an Israeli military sniper reportedly shot and killed two women. British lawmaker Layla Moran, whose family is among the hundreds trapped there, shared this information with CNN. Moran, a UK member of parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon, stated that 300 people, including children, were seeking refuge inside the Holy Family Parish church in Gaza City as Israel's bombardment of the enclave extends into its tenth week.
"The situation has worsened drastically in the past week, with snipers targeting civilians," Moran told CNN's Isa Soares. "It's absolutely terrifying. These are Christians seeking refuge just before Christmas, having already been there for over 60 days. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have instructed them to evacuate, but it's unclear why or where to go - there are no churches outside Gaza City."
The situation of the individuals taking shelter in the church has garnered increasing global focus following the allegation from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem that an Israeli military sniper killed a mother and a daughter there.
A 2018 file photo showing the exterior of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City.
Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/File
The Pope has spoken out following the killing of two women by an IDF sniper inside a Gaza church, according to Catholic authorities. In addition to this, IDF tanks also targeted the convent of the Sisters of Mother Teresa, which is part of the church compound and also home to 54 disabled people, the patriarchate reported. Furthermore, the buildings generator, fuel resources, solar panels, and water tanks were all destroyed.
As the two women made their way to the convent, they were suddenly caught in a burst of gunfire. The patriarchate reported that one woman lost her life while trying to shield the other from harm. In addition to the fatalities, seven people were injured in the assault at the church complex. The IDF seemed to distance themselves from the responsibility for the killings.
Church representatives contacted the IDF about nearby explosions. The IDF confirmed in a statement that no reports of damage to the church or civilian casualties were received during the dialogue. The IDF emphasized that they take allegations of harm to sensitive sites, particularly churches, very seriously, given the minority status of Christian communities in the Middle East.
"The IDF's primary focus is on targeting terrorists and terror infrastructure while avoiding harm to uninvolved civilians, regardless of their religion," the statement emphasized.
Israeli troops gather with their military vehicles on the border with the Gaza Strip on November 30, 2023.
Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP/Getty Images/File
Growing criticism
Israels military has faced growing international criticism over the shootings.
Pope Francis condemned the targeting of unarmed civilians by bombs and gunfire within the parish complex of the Holy Family, emphasizing that there are no terrorists present, only families, children, and people who are sick or have disabilities. Tariq Ahmad, British Minister of State for the Middle East, also denounced the killings and urged Israel to adhere to humanitarian law.
Ahmad expressed shock at the deaths and injuries of civilians seeking refuge in a church in northern Gaza in a statement on Sunday.
He emphasized the importance of Israel following international humanitarian law and protecting civilians. Ahmad also stressed the urgent need for a sustainable ceasefire to achieve lasting peace.
A video posted online shows Israeli soldiers burning food in Gaza.
Obtained by CNN
Videos show Israeli soldiers in Gaza burning food, vandalizing a shop and ransacking private homes
Several of Moran's relatives sought shelter in the church during the initial week following October 7. Moran expressed that her family is running out of supplies as the situation worsens, and urged the Israeli government and military to cease targeting the church.
She revealed that she had lost a family member to dehydration, despite the fact that he was 81 and in good health prior to the incident. He was unable to reach a hospital, resulting in his passing.
I have doubts about whether my other family members will make it.
I would pose a simple question to the Israeli government: Is this the week before Christmas the right time to provoke a conflict with the Pope? Is this the appropriate time to evict Palestinians against their will from the place where they have sought refuge?
Moran once again emphasized that there was no Hamas presence at the church. She stated that the claim that Hamas is using the church as a base is unfounded.
She also pointed out that there are children at the church and the women who have been killed do not resemble Hamas fighters in any way, as evidenced by the pictures.
With previous reporting from CNNs Christopher Lamb.
