Former Congressman Justin Amash, the first Palestinian-American to serve in Congress, recently shared a tragic update online. He revealed that some of his family members, including Viola and Yara (pictured here), lost their lives in Gaza. This heartbreaking loss occurred at the Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church in Gaza, where they had sought shelter. The tragedy unfolded when a portion of the complex was destroyed as a result of an Israeli airstrike.
Late Thursday, a devastating explosion targeted the Greek Orthodox church in Gaza, which had become a sanctuary for hundreds of displaced Palestinians. This explosion caused a section of the church to collapse. Aby Selmia, the director general of Shifa Hospital, initially reported numerous injuries at the church. However, he was unable to provide an exact count of the fatalities due to the fact that bodies were buried beneath the rubble, as reported by the Associated Press.
The Palestinian authorities attributed the explosion to an Israeli airstrike, although independent verification of this claim has not been possible.
The bombs struck the two church halls where refugees, including children and infants, were resting. The statement from the organization conveyed, “Our sources on-site estimate that the death toll currently stands at 150-200 people, and this number is anticipated to increase as more individuals are discovered amidst the debris.” Congressman Justin Amash
As reported by Al Jazeera, the church has historically provided a safe haven for both Christians and Muslims during Israel’s periodic conflicts with Gaza.
Additionally, numerous members of Congress extended their condolences to Justin Amash online, expressing their sympathies for his loss.
Amash shared a heartfelt message, saying, “Give rest, O Lord, to their souls, and may their memories be eternal.” He added, “May God watch over all Christians in Gaza—and all Israelis and Palestinians who are suffering, whatever their religion or creed.”
Justin Amash served as the representative for Michigan’s third congressional district until 2021.
It’s important to note that the conflict in the Middle East has resulted in a significant loss of life. According to officials, approximately 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the first two weeks of the conflict, while the Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, reported that nearly 3,800 Palestinians have lost their lives in the retaliatory strikes.