Last churches in Gaza City say they will not evacuate despite Israeli incursion

The last remaining churches in Gaza will not evacuate amid Israel's ramped-up military action and threats to destroy Gaza City, saying the clergy and nuns have decided they will "remain and continue to care for all those who will be in the compounds," the churches said in a joint statement to the Israel Defense Forces.

Hundreds of civilians -- including women, children and elderly -- have been seeking refuge in the Greek Orthodox compound of Saint Porphyrius and the Holy Family compound since the outbreak of the war and the Latin compound has been hosting people with disabilities who have been under the care of the Sisters Missionaries of Charity for many years, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement Tuesday.

“ Like other residents of Gaza City, the refugees living in the facilities will have to decide according to their conscience what they will do. Among those who have sought shelter within the walls of the compounds, many are weakened and malnourished due to the hardships of the last months. Leaving Gaza City and trying to flee to the south would be nothing less than a death sentence. For this reason, the clergy and nuns have decided to remain and continue to care for all those who will be in the compounds," the churches said.

Last week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Gaza City could "turn into Rafah and Beit Hanoun," areas that were destroyed earlier in the war, unless Hamas agrees to Israel's terms for a ceasefire.

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https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/churches-gaza-city-evacuate-despite-israeli-incursion/story?id=124986986