Pope Francis has expressed deep sorrow over the death of two women, identified as Nahida and her daughter Samar in Gaza.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that the mother and daughter were shot dead on the grounds of the Gaza Strip’s sole Catholic church by an Israeli soldier.
The victims, described as an elderly woman and her daughter, were fatally attacked as they walked to the Sister’s Convent, where Christian families sought shelter amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The patriarchate stated that the two were “shot in cold blood,” and seven others were wounded as they attempted to protect fellow parishioners.
The incident occurred despite assurances from the Israeli army that no civilians were targeted.
The IDF asserted that church representatives had reported an incident, but their operational findings found no evidence of a hit on the church or harm to civilians.
Pope Francis, addressing the faithful at the end of the Angelus prayer, decried the violence, emphasizing that the parish complex housed innocent families, children, and individuals with disabilities.
He called for prayers for peace in the midst of what he characterized as “war” and “terrorism.”
The Gaza Strip has been under intense military operations since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli territory.
The latest figures from Israeli authorities indicate a toll of about 1,139 lives lost, primarily civilians, and 250 hostages taken.
In response, Israel has launched extensive airstrikes and ground operations aimed at eliminating Hamas, resulting in a devastating toll of over 18,800 lives, predominantly women and children, according to the Hamas government in Gaza.
