The Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have issued a joint statement condemning the forced evacuation of Gaza City, describing it as a “death sentence” for more vulnerable Palestinians living there.

The declaration on 26 August from Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III comes in response to reports of an imminent Israeli offensive to take control of Gaza City, accompanied by the mobilisation of troops and heavy bombardments.

The patriarchates said evacuation orders have already been delivered to several neighbourhoods, with the overall situation placing hundreds of thousands of residents, including the local Christian community, at risk of losing their homes or worse.