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Al-Ahram Weekly

Egypt condemns Israeli targeting of worship places in Gaza - Foreign Affairs

Egypt condemned on Thursday in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation forces' bombardment and targeting of places of worship in the Gaza Strip, including mosques and churches—the latest of which was the Latin Patriarchate Church. In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry described these actions as a new crime and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The ministry further expressed its strong denunciation of Israel's systematic violations of all norms of international humanitarian law in its war against innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Additionally, Cairo called on the international community to put an end to these violations and to oblige Israel, as the occupying power, to fulfil its responsibilities in protecting places of worship and refraining from any form of harm to holy sites. Earlier Thursday, three people were killed, including women, and seven others injured, including a pastor, in Israeli bombing of the Latin Patriarchate Church in Gaza, which houses displaced persons, Palestinian news agency (WAFA) reported. The Israeli strike on Gaza's only church has sparked wide global condemnation. Pope Leo XIV said he was "deeply saddened" by the Israeli strike on the church and renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire, expressing his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the Israeli bombing, affirming France's solidarity with all Palestinian Christians who, from Gaza to Taybeh, are under threat. He also stressed that "the continuation of this war is unjustifiable." "A ceasefire must be established immediately, and civilians and captives must be freed from the danger of endless war," Macron wrote on X. Since the beginning of its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, Israeli forces have killed over 58,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, and injured nearly 140,000 others. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link: