Layla Moran's family trapped in Catholic church and under attack from IDF

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BBC article Layla Moran's family among hundreds trapped in Gaza church - BBC News

Vatican news
"Israelis have opened fire on Gaza's Christians. Following heavy bombardment overnight of the area around Holy Family Latin parish in Gaza City, dozens are reported dead, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, and reports continue to arrive that shooting by Israeli snipers continues during these hours.
A statement released by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed that an Israeli sniper murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish where the majority of Christian families have taken refuge since the start of the war."

"The statement also revealed that a rocket fired from an Israeli Defense Forces tank during the morning targeted and struck the Convent of the Sisters of Mother Theresa, destroying the building's generator - its only source of electricity - while a massive fire damaged the house.
"The Convent is home to over 54 disabled persons and is part of the church compound, which was signalled as a place of worship since the beginning of the war," it said.
The building was subsequently targeted by two more rockets rendering the home inhabitable: "The 54 disabled persons are currently displaced and without access to the respirators that some of them need to survive."
Two women killed in Israeli attack on Holy Family parish in Gaza - Vatican News

I've been distressed by so much reported, but as a Catholic I am really heart broken by the attack on Christians and killing people in a church. Poor Layla and all those who sheltered there.

What possible reason could the IDF have for using snipers to kill civilians inside a Catholic Church?

@braticus It had to be intentional, as a sniper is accurate. I can't imagine - did they think they were Hamas? But what reason is there to attack nuns and disabled people?

Because they are Palestinian. I read in a report that the IDF have taken over part of the church. Must be so hard for Layla, saying she doesn't think they will survive until Christmas 😭

@Snippit that is anti semitic to say that.

Please don't use the word 'race' to describe the people doing this. My family are part Jewish, don't dare link us in any way to the actions of the IDF or current Israeli govenment.

It is terrible. Its being reported on MSM and the IDF have been asked to comment on the situation. Now that this is gaining traction I hope that the right steps are taken to protect the other people in the church

@Parkingt111 Thank you. There aren't many Christians and I worry people forget about them.

I bet it won't get anything like as much attention as the hostages shot by IDF.

This might be the moment that the USA really lowers support for Israel. There's a strong Jewish lobby in the USA but there's also a huge Catholic lobby.

The same reason it shot dead three bare chested hostages despite having a white flag. Gunned two down, then pursed the last one despite his pleas in Hebrew.
You answer that question and you get the answer to the church one.
It makes me wonder how many of the so-called Hamas fighterS IDF killed were just civilians of the wrong sex (male) and of the wrong age (13-70).

In Gaza there's only approximately 800 or so christians now. They are also one of the oldest recorded christian communities.

I've always quite liked Layla Moran anyway but she's remained so dignified and professional despite the pain she must be going through.

She co-authored this article with Jewish Labour MP Alex Sobel at the end of October (he grew up in Israel).

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/27/we-are-westminster-mps-of-palestinian-and-israeli-descent-this-is-our-call-for-peace

Hasn't the pope been speaking out against Israel and calling for a ceasefire? In the eyes of a lot of the Israel supporters, calling out Israel's atrocities or asking for a humanitarian ceasefire is 'anti Semitic ' and supporting Hamas.

The Pope has called for a ceasefire, but also for the release of hostages. I don't think he has ever taken sides, just wanted the violence to stop. Early on there was a Jerusalem priest (I think)? who offered himself in return for all child hostages. I can't remember who it was now.

@Parkingt111 Amazing how long they have been there. So much interesting history I must read more!

@stormy4319trevor I saw a video tour of one of the churches in Gaza prior to the war and it was beautiful. If I find it again i will post it.
I don't know what condition it is in now sadly

Will the USA do anything? I expect not.

Yes but neither the Pope or the priest actively cheered on the genocide of Gaza so whatever else they said is irrelevant. Obviously.
Also. Isn't the IDF setting up in a church filled with civilians, nuns and disabled people,(and not allowing them to leave) using human shields and therefore yet another war crime?

This story along with the shooting of the hostages corroborates what civilian eye witnesses have been saying about being shot at/taken out if they move. I dread to think how many are being killed in North Gaza.

IDF already killed 18 Christians when they hit the Orthodox Church.

I just went looking for anymore info/update on the story and as seems to happen all the time, I came across another story of Israeli violence .
This is back in July - 50 Israeli settlers turned up in mini busses to raid a church. What's the justification for this pattern of behavior ? I seem to say that a lot these days Palestinian Youth Confront Israeli Extremists Attack at Catholic Church for Second Time in Week - Palestine Chronicle

My heart breaks

I wonder what it will take for the international community to do anything against these war crimes being committed by the IDF. There really is a warped mentality in mumsnet that thinks that as long as it’s soldiers doing the killing it’s ok. My heart breaks for all those killed by Hamas and the IDF.

Well, the USA are sinking all attempts. Lobby, money and politics matter more than innocent lives.