In a statement issued late Thursday, Hamas reported that the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City where Christians were taking shelter was bombed.
Hamas reported “huge damage” and “many casualties” at the church dating to the 12th century.
It said Israel had attacked the church, but Reuters was not immediately able to independently confirm a strike nor assess damage, and Israel did not comment on the incident. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said targeting the church “constitutes a war crime.”
Al Jazeera reported that eight people were killed in the air attack of the Church of Saint Parphyrius in central Gaza.