Two Christian women were among at least five Palestinians killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in Gaza City early on 3 October, according to Palestinian medical and civil defence officials and church sources.
The victims were identified by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem as Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud (Ayyad) and her daughter, Mary Hafez Michel Najjar (Abu Daoud). The two women had been involved in helping parishioners and displaced people connected with the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza.
The strike destroyed the apartment building where the women were staying in the Rimal area of Gaza City. Reports said the attack took place during the early hours while residents were asleep.
The Israeli military confirmed that it carried out an overnight strike targeting Ali al-Amoudi, described by Israeli sources as a senior Hamas political figure. However, the military did not confirm that the strike was the same attack in which the five Palestinians were killed.
The deaths have prompted renewed concern among Gaza’s Christian community, which numbers fewer than 1,000 people. The Latin Patriarchate said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was mourning the deaths and expressed condolences to the families and to Christians in Gaza.
The funeral for the two women was held at St Porphyrius Church in Gaza City on 3 October. The Greek Orthodox community also expressed sorrow over their deaths and prayed for the families and others affected by the violence.
The Holy Family parish community also offered condolences to the families. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, along with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and the Missionaries of Charity working in Gaza, joined the community in mourning.
The deaths add to the losses suffered by Gaza’s small Christian population during the conflict. In an interview with Vatican News in July, Father Romanelli said there had been about 1,017 Christians in Gaza at the beginning of the war, including Catholics and Orthodox Christians. He said 60 Christians had died during the conflict, including 23 who were killed by Israeli bombardment or snipers, while others died because of a lack of medical care.
The latest deaths have therefore brought the number of Christians reported by Romanelli as killed directly by Israeli fire to 25, according to the figures he gave in July and the two deaths reported in October.
The attack has also renewed debate over civilian casualties resulting from Israeli military operations in Gaza. Israeli authorities have said that strikes are directed at Hamas and other military targets, while Palestinian officials and human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of such operations on civilians.
The wider conflict continues despite the ceasefire that came into effect in October 2025. Vatican News reported in July that Father Romanelli continued to describe the situation in Gaza as one of severe humanitarian need, with civilians facing shortages of food, medicine, water and transport.
The Holy Family parish itself was struck in July 2025, killing three people and injuring others, including Father Romanelli. The incident prompted renewed calls from church leaders for the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law.
The latest deaths have once again placed the suffering of Gaza’s small Christian community in the spotlight, as church leaders continue to mourn those killed and call for protection, humanitarian assistance and peace.
Based on reporting by Asia News.
