Israeli strike kills four women including two Christians in Gaza
The attack on a residential building violated the ceasefire and prompted mourning from church leaders who offered condolences to the grieving families.
Medical sources reported that an Israeli airstrike killed five Palestinians in Gaza City early Saturday. The assault targeted the base of the Al-Asala 1 structure near Haidar roundabout in western Rimal. This incident marks the latest violation of the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The victims included Maysa Abu Daoud and her daughter Mary Najjar, who were Palestinian Christians. They served displaced families sheltering at the Holy Family Church. Also killed were university lecturer Yasmin al-Boubou and her mother Halloum al-Boubou. Palestine’s Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs confirmed their identities and service.
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa expressed deep sorrow over the tragic killings. He offered heartfelt condolences to the relatives and the Christian community in Gaza. Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church also mourned the women. Their funeral was held Saturday at Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City’s Old City with prayers and hymns.
Mary’s son Fouad al-Najjar stated the strike occurred at approximately 1:30 am. The fourteen-year-old appealed for an end to the war, noting that people lose loved ones daily. He said they are exhausted by nearly three years of destruction and grief. He emphasized that the occupation does not distinguish between Muslims and Christians.
Yasmin al-Boubou was a lecturer in the multimedia department at the University of Palestine. She previously headed the Multimedia Technology Department and held multiple master’s degrees. Her biography listed her as a doctoral student in computer science. Academics and rights advocates mourned her death as a loss of a distinguished scholar.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights documented the deaths of around 194 intellectuals during the war. Previous Israeli attacks have struck Christian compounds, including Saint Porphyrius Church in 2023. The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that Israeli attacks have killed at least 74,228 people since October 2023.