In a tragic incident in Gaza, several relatives of former Michigan Rep. Justin Amash lost their lives when an Israeli airstrike destroyed part of the Greek Orthodox Church where they had sought shelter. Amash, who made history in 2011 as the first Palestinian American to serve in Congress, expressed his deep sadness and concern in a social media post. Alongside a photo of two of his deceased relatives, Viola and Yara, celebrating Christmas, Amash confirmed their deaths and lamented the suffering endured by the Palestinian Christian community. He also extended his thoughts and prayers to all those affected in Gaza, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The Israeli airstrike, which targeted a Hamas command center launching rockets toward Israel, resulted in the destruction of Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 16 casualties, with some individuals still trapped under the rubble. Israel, however, stated that the church was not the intended target and that the strike merely damaged a wall of the church. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized that the command center was used for attacks against Israel and contained terrorist infrastructure belonging to Hamas.

The IDF announced that they were reviewing the incident and acknowledged reports of casualties. They also asserted that Hamas deliberately employs Gaza residents as human shields, urging civilians in northern parts of Gaza to evacuate south. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem strongly condemned the Israeli airstrike, expressing its dismay and denouncing the damage caused to its church compound in Gaza.

Amidst the escalating violence, Justin Amash took to social media to confirm the tragic loss of his relatives. As a member of the Libertarian Party, Amash revealed that his family members were among the victims of the Israeli airstrike on the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius. The explosion had caused a section of the church to collapse, claiming the lives of at least 16 individuals who had sought refuge there. The IDF assured that an investigation into the incident was underway and underscored that the church was not the intended target.

The Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George corroborated the bombing of the church, highlighting the devastating impact on the refugees seeking shelter within. They reported that the bombs struck the church halls where displaced Muslims and Christians, including women and children, were sleeping. With survivors now searching the wreckage for any additional casualties, the death toll is expected to rise. The order estimated that around 150-200 people may have lost their lives in the tragic incident.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a heavy toll on both sides. More than 5,600 people have been killed, and thousands more have been injured since Hamas initiated its largest attack against Israel in decades on October 7. In addition to the casualties, there have been reports of individuals being taken hostage by Hamas and subjected to horrific acts of violence, including rape, torture, and murder.

The situation in Gaza remains extremely volatile, with the threat of a ground invasion looming. The international community continues to monitor the escalating violence closely, hoping for a swift resolution to end the suffering endured by innocent civilians on both sides of the conflict.