UK calls Israeli attacks on Christians, churches in Gaza 'appalling'

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – The UK government on Monday said attacks on Christians and churches by Israel in Gaza are "appalling."

Replying to a question by Anadolu regarding the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict during a press conference, a government spokesperson said: “Reports of civilians taking refuge in the church in Gaza being killed and injured are appalling.”

To a question whether the UK government has any reaction to the latest civilian casualties such as Israeli snipers shooting two Catholic women, the spokesperson said: “It's a further tragedy in a long list of tragedies that have occurred in Gaza and Israel in recent weeks and months. We call on all sides to protect civilians. We believe a sustainable cease-fire leading to a sustainable peace is urgently needed.”

An Israeli sniper on Saturday killed a mother and her daughter and injured seven others in the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, said the local Latin Catholic Church authority.

“We maintain our complete support to Israel to defend itself in line with international humanitarian law. More broadly, we talked about the importance of immediate humanitarian pauses leading to a sustainable cease-fire as soon as possible. And we will continue to maintain that position.

“It's important to remember why Israel has been forced to defend itself. Hamas barbarically attacked Israel and still fires rockets every day. We will continue to defend Israel's self-defense in line with international humanitarian law,” she added.

To a question whether the UK has any position regarding the Israeli action pumping seawater into tunnels in Gaza which will kill the soil in Gaza with salt and make the soil unable to produce any crops, she said: "Our position is Israel should not take any actions which undermine critical infrastructure and beyond that I would not be able to comment on what's happening on the ground.”

“Journalists in Gaza are playing a vital role in incredibly challenging conditions. They are protected under humanitarian law. And we urge all parties to avoid attacks against them,” she added.

Israel's air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas have killed more than 19,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 52,286 others, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The war has left Gaza in ruins with half of the coastal territory's housing stock damaged or destroyed, and nearly 2 million people displaced within the densely-populated enclave amid shortages of food and clean water.

Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, while more than 130 hostages remain in captivity.