Brief
Gaza Christians mourn mother and daughter killed in Israeli air strike
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa expressed sorrow as the community held a funeral at Saint Porphyrius Church.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Two Palestinian Christians – Maysa Abu Daoud and her daughter Mary al‑Najjar – were among five people killed when an Israeli air strike hit the ground floor of a building in Gaza City’s Remal neighbourhood on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported.
What happened
The strike struck the building at about 1:30 am local time (22:30 GMT), killing the mother and daughter and three others. Their funeral was held the same day at Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza’s Old City.
What the reports add
Al Jazeera noted that the victims were active in the Christian community, helping parishioners and displaced people sheltering at the Holy Family Church, according to Palestine’s Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs. The committee’s chairman, Ramzi Khoury, called the deaths a “painful loss” for families and the church.
What was said
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said in a statement that he felt “deep sorrow and grief” over the “tragic” killing and offered “heartfelt condolences” to the victims’ families and Gaza’s Christian community.
Mary’s 14‑year‑old son, Fouad al‑Najjar, told Anadolu news agency, “My grandmother and my mother died. May God have mercy on them,” and appealed for an end to what he described as Israel’s “genocidal war on Gaza.”
Key facts
- Maysa Abu Daoud and her daughter Mary al‑Najjar were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City’s Remal neighbourhood. (aljazeera.com)
- The strike occurred at about 1:30 am local time (22:30 GMT) on Saturday. (aljazeera.com)
- Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa expressed deep sorrow and offered condolences to the victims’ families. (aljazeera.com)
- The funeral was held at Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza’s Old City. (aljazeera.com)
- Ramzi Khoury, chairman of Palestine’s Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, called the deaths a painful loss. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Gaza’s Christians mourn mother and daughter killed in Israeli attack”
