Gaza’s Christians mourn mother and daughter killed in Israeli attack

What Happened

An Israeli air attack on the Remal neighbourhood of Gaza City on Saturday killed Maysa Abu Daoud and her daughter Mary al-Najjar, both Palestinian Christians, along with three other Palestinians, according to the article. The strike hit the ground floor of a building at about 1:30am local time (22:30 GMT), as stated by Mary al-Najjar's 14-year-old son Fouad al-Najjar. The article describes the attack as the latest Israeli violation of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The funeral for the two women was held at Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City's Old City. Palestine's Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs said the women had devoted their time to helping parishioners and displaced people sheltering at the Holy Family Church. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed deep sorrow and grief over the killing.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The killing of two Christian women in an air attack underscores the vulnerability of Gaza's tiny Christian community, which numbers fewer than 1,000 people and has suffered repeated strikes on homes and churches during the war that began in October 2023. The incident also highlights persistent ceasefire violations despite a US-brokered agreement with Hamas and adds to a reported death toll exceeding 74,000, with more than 1,400 killed since the ceasefire began in October 2025.

Watch For

Monitor whether the Israeli military issues a statement or investigation into the Remal strike; watch for reactions from the Vatican, US mediators, and Hamas regarding the alleged ceasefire violation; track updated casualty figures from the Ministry of Health in Gaza and any further attacks on Christian sites or civilian infrastructure in Gaza City.