An explosion struck the St. Porphyrius Church in Gaza City on Thursday, following an Israeli Occupation airstrike. Sources from the Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza have expressed concerns about potential casualties, as numerous individuals, mainly Palestinian parishioners and displaced families from the northern and southern regions of Gaza, sought refuge in the annexed hall of the church complex.

An estimated 1,000 people had taken shelter within the church, its school, and other associated facilities during the incident. Presently, rescue efforts are ongoing to assess the scope of the casualties and offer aid to those impacted by the explosion.

The catastrophic explosion has not only caused structural damage to the church but has also left many trapped beneath the debris. The fate of these individuals remains uncertain, prompting urgent rescue efforts and appeals for international support. As the search and rescue operations continue, the true extent of the human toll from this tragic event is yet to be fully realized.