The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas received a Greek Orthodox delegation, headed by Archbishop Alexios of the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

In a statement, the Movement said that member of Hamas Political Bureau in Gaza, Basem Naim, along with a number of Hamas officials, received the delegation that included Father Silas, pastor of Gaza’s Orthodox Church.

The statement pointed out that the delegation conveyed their congratulations on the advent of the Eid al-Fitr holiday. 

Hamas welcomed such an important visit, conveying the Hamas leadership’s regard for Christian Palestinians.

“Our Palestinian people are sending a message to the whole world that they are capable of presenting a model of co-existence between Muslims and Christians,” Naim stated.  

Meanwhile, Father Silas said that such a visit “confirms that we, as Palestinians, either Muslims and Christians, are united behind a joint cause.”   

Palestinian Muslims and Christians were subjected to waves of violence by Israeli occupation forces during the holy month of Ramadan.

IOF escalated violence and attacked Muslim worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque as well as Christians who celebrated the Holy Saturday.