The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine vehemently denounces Israel’s assaults on health and educational facilities, as well as shelter centers in Gaza. Recent attacks have targeted the Holy Family Latin school and UNRWA Jaouni school in Gaza, among many others, leading to numerous casualties. Additionally, doctors, nurses and wounded and displaced Palestinians were forced to evacuate Al Ahli Baptist Hospital ahead of an Israeli military operation. These attacks are part of a pattern of violence inflicted on many hospitals in Gaza, since the onset of Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza on October 7th, 2024.
In a statement issued by member of the PLO executive committee and head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, Dr. Ramzi Khouri, he highlighted the catastrophic health situation in Gaza. Nine months into Israel’s unfolding genocide and deliberate targeting of Gaza’s medical facilities has rendered many hospitals non-operational. Combined with the prevention of medical aid has further endangered the lives of many wounded and chronically ill Palestinians.
The committee emphasized that these acts by the Israeli occupation regime constitute a clear and blatant violation of international and humanitarian law, which mandate the protection of civilians during the times of war and criminalize the targeting of shelters. The statement also noted that more than two million Palestinians are being forcibly displaced from their homes and recounted Israeli atrocities in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, as well as continuous violations against Muslim and Christian holy sites.
The committee called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities towards the Palestinian people by ending Israel’s systematic targeting of hospitals, schools, shelters, and places of worship. It stressed the necessity of prosecuting Israeli officials responsible for war crimes and to take urgent measures to ensure justice, end the genocide in Gaza, and facilitate the immediate entry of medical and humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, the committee appealed to churches worldwide to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and pressure their governments to actively pursue peace, security, and stability. It called for an end to the war of extermination, forced displacement, starvation, and attacks on shelters on hospitals, churches, mosques, and schools.
