In Gaza, Christian churches have long served as places of worship, refuge, and cultural memory. Today, many of these structures lie damaged or destroyed. From centuries-old Orthodox sanctuaries to newer Catholic and Baptist congregations, almost every major Christian site in the Strip has been hit during recent conflicts. The war in 2023 and renewed bombardment in 2025 brought direct strikes to these churches, often while they were sheltering civilians. This report presents a map and account of confirmed damage to Gaza’s four main churches: Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and Baptist.
Church of Saint Porphyrius (Greek Orthodox)
The historic Church of Saint Porphyrius, Gaza’s oldest active church dating to the 5th century, was struck by an Israeli airstrike on October 19, 2023. The attack killed at least 18 Palestinian civilians and injured many more, including several children. About 400 displaced civilians, mainly Christians, were taking shelter in the entire complex when a two-story building in the church compound was hit. The church was struck again on July 29, 2024, by an Israeli missile that did not detonate, seriously injuring one person and minorly injuring two others.
Holy Family Catholic Church
Gaza’s only Catholic church has suffered multiple attacks throughout the conflict:
December 2023: On December 16, 2023, an Israeli sniper killed two Christian women (a mother and daughter) who were leaving the church, with seven others wounded as they tried to protect people inside the compound.
July 2024: On July 7, 2024, an Israeli bomb targeting Palestinian Deputy Labor Minister Ihab al-Ghussein hit the Holy Family Catholic School, killing four people sheltered there, including the official.
July 2025: On July 17, 2025, three people were killed and at least 10 others injured, including parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli, when Israeli tank fire struck the church compound. The church was sheltering approximately 600 displaced people, including many children and 54 people with disabilities.
Gaza Baptist Church
The Gaza Baptist Church suffered significant damage from an Israeli tank shell on December 26, 2023, which blasted through the building and badly damaged the interior. More than 70 people from about 15 families had been sheltering inside the church building at the time. The church had also suffered minor damage in October 2023 from a different blast, as it sits near a police station that has been repeatedly targeted during various conflicts.
St. Philip the Evangelist Chapel
St. Philip the Evangelist Chapel is located inside the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital compound in Gaza City and is affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. It served both as a chapel for the hospital and as a center for Gaza’s small Anglican community. On October 17, 2023, an explosion struck the hospital grounds, killing hundreds and causing widespread structural damage including to the chapel.