Security forces check A rocket shrapnel fragment which fell in the vicinity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre inside the Old City of occupied Jerusalem Photo courtesy of PalinfoAr.
In a statement, the church described the incident as serious and alarming.
“The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is not just a historic building; it is one of the holiest Christian sites in the world and a destination for millions of pilgrims who come to pray and seek blessings,” the statement said.
It added that any threat to the area around this sacred site, regardless of the cause, is deeply concerning for all who value the sanctity of Jerusalem and its holy places.
“We pray for the safety and protection of all holy sites in Jerusalem and call for places of worship to be kept away from conflicts. These sites are houses of prayer for all peoples and symbols of peace and faith in this sacred city,” the statement said.
The Coptic Orthodox Church in Jerusalem represents Egypt’s ancient Christian presence in the Holy Land and is considered one of the city’s most important sacred sites.
Since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, critical infrastructure in the strip has been destroyed, including places of worship such as historic mosques and churches that are part of Palestine’s cultural and religious heritage.
According to figures published by Gaza’s Government Media Office in April 2025, Israeli airstrikes have destroyed more than 1,000 mosques and three churches, in what many observers describe as a deliberate attack on places of worship.
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