An Israeli sniper killed two Christian women today in the area of the Catholic parish of the Holy Family in Gaza, the Jerusalem Latin Patriarchate announced today.
The statement states that around noon, an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) sniper “killed two Christian women inside the parish of the Holy Family in Gaza, where most Christian families have sought refuge since the beginning of the war.”
“Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they were heading to the convent where the nuns live. One was killed while trying to take the other to safety,” the statement said.
“Cold-blooded execution”
Seven people were shot and injured as they tried to protect others within the church compound, according to the statement reported by Catholic media.
“They gave no warning, no notice. They were cold-bloodedly shot in the premises of the parish, where there are no warring parties,” said the Jerusalem Latin Patriarchate.
Vatican News reports that the Israelis justified the attack, claiming that there was a rocket launcher in the parish.
The Holy Family parish is the only Catholic church in Gaza. Since the war between Israel and Hamas began, hundreds of Christians and other civilians from Gaza have sought refuge in the parish, located at the northern end of the Gaza Strip.
“IDF fired a missile at the convent of the nuns”
Before the shooting, a rocket was fired from an IDF tank at the convent of the Missionaries of Charity, the Patriarchate claims.
“The convent is home to more than 54 people with disabilities and is part of the church compound, which has been designated as a place of worship since the beginning of the war,” the statement said. The building’s generator and fuel sources were destroyed, and 54 people with disabilities in the facility were displaced and do not have access to respirators that some of them need to survive.
In its statement, the Patriarchate said it could not comprehend how such an attack could have been carried out, especially since the entire Church is preparing for Christmas.
“Together in prayer with the entire Christian community, we express our closeness and condolences to the families affected by this senseless tragedy,” the statement said.
The IDF has not yet commented on this case.