Catholic clergy walk in procession next to the Church of the Nativity, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Beit Lahm, occupied Palestine, December 24, 2023. (AP)

The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem (al-Quds) released a statement on Friday strongly condemning the Israeli occupation's al-Rashid street massacre which resulted in the killing of over 115 Palestinian martyrs.

The statement underscored that "Although [Israeli] government spokesmen initially tried to deny the soldiers’ involvement in this incident, later that day Israel’s Minister of National Security not only praised IDF fighters for acting 'excellently,' but also attempted to blame the victims for their own demise, charging that they had sought to harm heavily armed soldiers. He went on to assail the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, arguing that it should cease."

According to the statement, the forced famine has become a "harsh reality for the half-million remaining in Gaza City," as "aid deliveries have nearly halted because of heavy entry restrictions and lack of security escort for the delivery convoys."

Statement from the Jerusalem heads of Churches on recent attack on Gazans gathering to receive aid pic.twitter.com/p1gztGqA7G
— Munther Isaac منذر اسحق (@MuntherIsaac) March 1, 2024

The Patriarchs and heads of churches in al-Quds also reminded that humanitarian experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the risk of famine caused by the blockade in northern Gaza, adding that humanitarian airdrops by foreign countries provide only a minimal amount of the necessary assistance for a remaining civilian population larger than that of "Tel Aviv".

The statement condemned the massacre, saying, "We, the Patriarch and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, condemn this wanton attack against innocent civilians and call for the warring parties to reach an immediate and lengthy ceasefire that allows for the speedy disbursement of relief supplies throughout the Gaza strip, and for the enactment of a negotiated release of those held as captives and prisoners."

On a related but different note, the statement also addressed the Christians of Gaza under their pastoral care.

"These include the more than 800 Christians who have now taken refuge in St. Porphyrios and Holy Family Churches in Gaza City for nearly five months," read the statement adding "We likewise extend these same expressions of solidarity to the intrepid staff and volunteers of the Anglican-run Ahli Hospital, and to the patients they serve."

Day 148: Massacre in Jabalia, 30,320 killed, 71,533 injured in Gaza

On the 148th day of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported 10 massacres against families in the region. The tragic toll includes 92 martyrs and 156 injuries within the past 24 hours alone.

Compounding the devastation, some victims are still trapped under rubble and on roads, with the Israeli occupation hindering the arrival of ambulance and civil defense teams.

The overall impact of the Israeli aggression has now surged to a grim total of 30,320 martyrs and 71,533 injuries since October 7th of the previous year. The situation remains dire as Gaza faces continuous challenges amidst the ongoing conflict.

The Israeli occupation, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza, killed 20 Palestinians and injured dozens as the Israeli occupation forces targeted a residential building west of Jabalia Camp in the northern Gaza Strip.

The correspondent also reported injuries among a group of farmers in the north of Beit Hanoun, north of Gaza after they were targeted by the IOF.

Moreover, our correspondent indicated that an Israeli drone targeted a civilian car in the vicinity of the Al-Salah Association in Rafah, resulting in several injuries, and the wounded were transported to Al-Kuwait Specialized Hospital.