Two Christian women killed in Gaza City air strike, patriarch mourns

Maysa Abu Daoud and her daughter Mary al-Najjar were among five Palestinians killed when an Israeli air strike hit the ground floor of a building in the Remal neighbourhood of Gaza City on Saturday, according to Al Jazeera.

Cardinal Pizzaballa extended his “heartfelt condolences” to their loved ones and the Christian community in Gaza, calling their deaths “tragic”.

The funeral took place later that day at Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City’s Old City. The two women were Palestinian Christians from Gaza City who had been helping parishioners and displaced people sheltering at the Holy Family Church, said Palestine’s Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs. Its chairman, Ramzi Khoury, called their deaths a “painful loss”.

Mary’s son, 14-year-old Fouad al-Najjar, told Anadolu news agency the strike hit at about 1:30am (22:30 GMT). “My grandmother and my mother died. May God have mercy on them,” he said, appealing for an end to the war. “We are exhausted by this war and have endured so much. For almost three years, we have been living through the same destruction, the same grief and the same war.”

Palestinian Lutheran pastor Munther Isaac, writing on X, said: “The genocide continues in Gaza.”

Fewer than 1,000 Christians live in the Gaza Strip. The community had suffered previous deadly attacks on churches, including a strike on the Saint Porphyrius Church compound in October 2023 that killed at least 18 people, and the shooting of two women inside the Holy Family parish compound two months later.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The killing of civilians from Gaza’s tiny Christian minority highlights the human toll of the conflict beyond the larger Muslim population.
If the attack violates the US-brokered ceasefire, it could destabilise the fragile arrangement and complicate diplomatic efforts.
The targeted civilian infrastructure, including a residential building in a civilian area, raises concerns about adherence to international humanitarian law.

Background

Gaza’s Christian community, numbering under 1,000 people, has been severely affected by the war that began in October 2023. Churches and homes have been hit in previous attacks, with the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church struck in 2023 and the Latin Holy Family parish compound coming under sniper fire. The latest strike came in the context of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, the status of which is disputed.

Key Perspectives

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem: Expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic killing, offering condolences to the community and families. Fouad al-Najjar, victim’s son: Appealed for an end to the war, which he said had brought constant grief and destruction for nearly three years. Ramzi Khoury, Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs: Described the women’s deaths as a painful loss for their families, the church and parishioners. Munther Isaac, Lutheran pastor: Characterised the killing as part of a continuing genocide in Gaza. Critics and observers: The attack, if confirmed as a ceasefire violation, could undermine the truce and prolong the conflict.

What to Watch

Any official Israeli military response or denial regarding the strike.
Reactions from the US and other ceasefire guarantors, and whether the incident prompts new enforcement measures.
The safety of remaining Christian sites and civilians in Gaza as fighting continues.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources