Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and Greek Orthodox counterpart allowed to enter Gaza in rare solidarity visit

Top Christian leaders in Jerusalem made a rare solidarity visit to Gaza on Friday, a day after the Israeli military struck a Catholic church in Gaza, killing three people and prompting international condemnation.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and his Greek Orthodox counterpart, Theophilos III, were allowed to enter Gaza - which has been closed to outsiders - and met with people at the Holy Family Church and walked around the damaged building.

Few people have been allowed to enter or leave Gaza, except a trickle of aid workers or people being evacuated for medical care.