Pope Francis Laments Killing Of ‘Defenceless Civilians’ In Israeli Attack On Gaza Church

Pope Francis expressed deep sorrow on Sunday over the death of two women in a Catholic parish in Gaza, condemning the violence that claimed the lives of “defenceless civilians” during a session of the Angelus prayer. “I continue to receive very serious and painful news from Gaza,” said Pope Francis, as quoted by news agency AFP. “A mother and her daughter… were killed, and other people injured by sniper fire,” he mentioned.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported on Saturday that the victims, identified as Nahida and her daughter Samar, were shot dead on the grounds of the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, the only Catholic church in the region. The incident occurred amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, where Christian families sought refuge.

“Around noon today… a sniper of the IDF (Israeli army) murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza,” stated the patriarchate. “Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they walked to the Sister’s Convent. One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety,” the statement added.

Seven additional people were wounded as they attempted to protect others during the attack.

“Some say it is terrorism, it’s war,” remarked Pope Francis, addressing the violence. “Yes, it’s war, it’s terrorism…. let us pray to the Lord for peace,” he remarked, as per AFP.

According to the Vatican press agency, citing Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, the victims were identified as an elderly woman and her daughter. The patriarchate emphasised that no warning was given before the shooting, and the victims were “shot in cold blood”, AFP reported.

The Gaza Strip has faced severe bombardments and ground operations by the Israeli army since the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israeli territory on October 7. The attack resulted in approximately 1,140 casualties, mostly civilians, and 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities cited by AFP. In response, Hamas claims that Israel’s offensive in Gaza has led to the deaths of 18,800 people, predominantly women and children.

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