The Greek Orthodox Church of St Porphyrius and its surrounding compound in Gaza City have been ordered to evacuate ahead of a major offensive by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the Times of Israel has reported.

According to an evacuation map posted on the IDF’s Arabic website and published by the Israeli paper on Wednesday, the compound sits in a designated red zone.

In contrast, the nearby Catholic Church of the Holy Family, another major Christian site in Gaza City, has not received an evacuation order, while the Anglican St Philip’s Church, located within the Al-Ahli Arab Anglican Hospital compound, also lies inside an evacuation zone.

The orders come as Israel prepares a mass evacuation of Gaza City ahead of an expected military offensive against Hamas. Hundreds of civilians – including elderly residents, women, children and people with disabilities – are currently sheltering in the church compounds.

On Tuesday, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the escalation of the conflict. In a joint statement, they said clergy and nuns insist on remaining in Gaza City, as fleeing south “would be nothing less than a death sentence.”

The Protecting Holy Land Christians group added that bombings near the churches have been “nonstop,” underscoring the severe risk to civilians even before evacuation orders were issued.