Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local sources: The Israeli force, which crossed into southern rural Damascus, has reached the town of Qatana, located just 10 kilometers from the Syrian capital
Local sources: An Israeli ground unit, comprising more than 15 military and armored vehicles, carried out an incursion into southern rural Damascus from the occupied Syrian Golan
Belgian court orders regional government to stop military exports to Israel, Belga reports
Latin Patriarchate in occupied al-Quds: The Holy Family Church in Gaza was subjected to Israeli shelling, resulting in injuries, including Father Gabriele Romanelli
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in France: Georges Abdallah’s lawyer has officially informed him of the court’s decision granting his release
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was martyred in a raid that targeted the town of Kfour, Nabatieh District
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was martyred in an Israeli drone strike that targeted a truck in the town of Naqoura
Defense Attorney: Lebanese activist George Ibrahim Abdallah will be released on July 25
Georges Abdallah's defense attorney: The decision to release Lebanese activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah will be issued in a few minutes
The French judiciary decided to release Lebanese activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah after 41 years of detention

Archbishop Hanna: Gaza witnessing new Nakba, ethnic cleansing

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen+ Al Mayadeen Net
  • 20 Oct 2023 11:27
  • 4 Shares
5 Min Read

During an interview for Al Mayadeen Net, Palestinian Greek Orthodox Archbishop Atallah Hanna says holding candlelight vigils for Palestine is not enough.

  • x
  • Greek Orthodox Archbishop Theodosios Atallah Hanna speaks to residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, Al-Quds, Friday, May 15, 2021 (AP)
    Greek Orthodox Archbishop Theodosios Atallah Hanna speaks to residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, al-Quds, Friday, May 15, 2021 (AP)

Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia in occupied al-Quds Atallah Hanna told Al Mayadeen that "bombing the church is a new massacre committed by the occupation" and serves as a new attack against Christian heritage. 

"The occupation is targeting the Christian presence in Gaza and even in all of Palestine, where Christians are an essential component," the Archbishop added. 

He urgently called on His Holiness the Pope and church leaders worldwide to raise their voices and not be content with prayers, stating that "religious authorities should have a clear and explicit stance in support of the people of Gaza who are being targeted."

"His Holiness the Pope and all religious leaders in the world should immediately take action in support of Palestine and the people of Gaza," the Archbishop added, stressing that prayers and candlelight vigils for Palestine are not enough as they should be accompanied by clear stances.

Targeting the Greek Orthodox Church in #Gaza is a new massacre committed by the Israeli occupation. We demand the end of the systemic criminality targeting the steadfast city of Gaza, while the #West stands in solidarity with "Israel", rendering it complicit in these crimes.

-… https://t.co/yVJp8qBZZK

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 20, 2023

He slammed the West for its support of the systematic Israeli crimes in Gaza, affirming that it is complicit in these crimes. 

Archbishop Hanna appealed to "every free person in the world and all Arabs to act to stop this aggression today, not tomorrow."

Read more: 'Time is running out', vital Gaza aid piling up awaiting opening Rafah

He also said that "what is happening in Gaza cannot be summarized in the word 'war,' but it is a real catastrophe," considering that "Israel applying the scorched-earth policy on Gaza."

What is happening in #Gaza can not be summed up by the term "war". They are applying the scorched-earth policy on Gaza; we are witnessing a real catastrophe.

- #Palestinian Greek Orthodox Archbishop, Atallah Hanna#PalestineGenocide #GazaGenocide #Palestine #GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/frWs2EabLC

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 20, 2023

"The occupation violates international principles and laws, not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank and occupied al-Quds."

"The Palestinians are more united today than ever before in facing this aggression, and there is an increase in awareness among all people worldwide, regardless of the stances of their governments," the Archbishop of Sebastia in occupied al-Quds emphasized in his statements. 

Hanna added the occupation has arrested several Palestinian youths just because they have expressed support for Gaza in online posts, explaining that "the occupation and the West target social media sites that support Palestine, and efforts must be made to convey the true image of Palestine."

Related News

Palestine remains loyal to Sayyed Nasrallah's sacrifices: Abp. Hanna

Archbishop Hanna: Christians in the Levant stand firm in their roots

Prominent figures are resigning from their posts in light of the Israeli aggression on the #Gaza Strip.#Palestine #GazaUnderAttack #GazaGenocide #France #UK pic.twitter.com/C4uinxoaBv

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 20, 2023

Additionally, in an interview for Al Mayadeen Net, Archbishop Atallah Hanna described what's happening in Gaza as being a new Nakba, referring to the expulsion of Palestinians back in 1948. 

"What is happening in Gaza is a new Nakba and a policy of ethnic cleansing, targeting innocent people, bombing homes, hospitals, and places of worship, and killing the innocent in cold blood, not to mention the destruction and devastation that has befallen the beloved Gaza Strip," he said. 

"From here, from Al-Quds, I send a heartfelt appeal to all religious, human rights, and humanitarian authorities and every person with ethics and values to urgently take action to stop this aggression," he appealed. 

"Enough destruction, enough bloodshed, enough devastation. Let the aggression cease, let the blood be spared, and let the devastation stop."

In a related context, the head of the Government Media Office in Gaza, Salama Maarouf, told Al Mayadeen that an Israeli occupation aircraft committed a new crime last night by bombing the Orthodox Church. He called on the churches of the world to take a clear stance on this crime and for everyone to come together to speak the truth and expose the nature of the occupation's targets.

Maarouf emphasized that this crime, once again, proves that the occupation disregards international humanitarian law and does not set red lines for itself in targeting civilians. He noted that the church was hosting dozens of Palestinian families, both Christians and Muslims, after the occupation intensified its shelling of homes.

Read more: Gazan genocide: 'Israel' murders 800+ in Gaza hospital bombing

On Thursday, the Ministry of Interior in Gaza announced that the Israeli occupation committed a new massacre, killing and wounding hundreds of displaced people inside the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius in Gaza City. 

According to the Ministry, the occupation made a direct target at the ancient church building on Omar al-Mukhtar Street in the Gaza Strip.

The Ministry pointed out that the church housed dozens of displaced people, who were taking shelter inside the church, most of whom were women and children.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that several injured people were taken to the hospital.

The Ministry stated that severe material damage was caused to parts of the church building and that a building adjacent to the church was destroyed. It is worth noting that the Church of St. Porphyrius is considered the third oldest church in the world. The original building dates back to 425 AD and it was renovated in 1856.  

Read more: Israeli police tighten grip, disrupt morning prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque

  • Archbishop Atallah Hanna
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

An Israeli soldier abandons an excavator during an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades. Arabic text reads "The moment the soldier fled", July, 10, 2025 (Al Qassam Military Media)

Israeli media rue al-Qassam footage, alarmed by fighters among troops

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025
This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage after an Iranian attack at the al Udeid Airbase outside of Doha, Qatar, June 25, 2025 (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

Satellite images show Iran attack damaged US comms dome in Qatari base

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025
Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
George Abdallah: Europe's longest-held political prisoner to be freed
Politics

George Abdallah: Europe's longest-held political prisoner to be freed

A still from the video released by al-Qassam Brigades, which reads, "Captivity is better than death", on July 17, 2025 (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)
Politics

Al-Qassam releases video warning Israelis: Captivity better than death

Georges Abdallah attends his trial in Lyon on July 3, 1986 (Social Media)
Politics

'A symbol for every prisoner': Hezbollah hails Georges Abdallah

Plume of smoke rise following an Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Qabrikha, July 17, 2025 (Social media)
Politics

'Israel' kills mother, father, injures 10-year-old daughter in Lebanon

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS