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

The small and increasingly vulnerable Christian community in Gaza is mourning the loss of two of its own, Maysa Abu Daoud and her daughter Mary al-Najjar, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City. The two women were among five Palestinians who perished when the strike hit the ground floor of a residential building in the Remal neighborhood during the early hours of Saturday. Their deaths have drawn sharp condemnation from religious leaders and highlighted the persistent peril faced by civilians in the territory despite ongoing international efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.

A Community in Mourning

The funeral for Maysa Abu Daoud and Mary al-Najjar was held at the historic Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City’s Old City, a site that has itself been a focal point of the conflict. Friends, family members, and members of the local Muslim community gathered to pay their respects, underscoring the shared grief that transcends religious lines in the war-torn enclave. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate have both issued statements expressing deep sorrow, calling for an immediate end to the violence and the protection of civilian lives.

According to the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, the two women were known for their dedication to helping others. They had spent much of their time supporting parishioners and displaced individuals who sought refuge at the Holy Family Church. Their loss is described as a profound blow to the remaining Christian population in Gaza, which now numbers fewer than 1,000 people, a community that has faced repeated displacement and loss since the conflict began in October 2023.

The Human Cost of Protracted Conflict

For 14-year-old Fouad al-Najjar, the strike has left an irreparable void. In a heart-wrenching account, he described the moment the building was hit at approximately 1:30 a.m., resulting in the death of his mother and grandmother. His testimony reflects the exhaustion and trauma shared by many in Gaza, who have endured years of instability and nearly three years of intense, continuous warfare.

Today is essentially the worst day of my life. I lost my mother and my grandmother today. We are exhausted by this war and have endured so much.

The incident occurred in the Remal neighborhood, an area that has seen significant destruction throughout the conflict. The strike is being viewed by many as a violation of the United States-brokered ceasefire agreements, which have struggled to gain traction or provide meaningful security for the civilian population. As the war continues, the ability of humanitarian organizations and religious institutions to provide sanctuary is being pushed to its absolute limit.

A History of Vulnerability

The Christian presence in Gaza, while historically significant, has been systematically diminished by the ongoing hostilities. Saint Porphyrius Church, one of the oldest in the world, has previously been the site of tragedy, including an October 2023 attack that claimed at least 18 lives. The Latin Patriarchate has also previously reported incidents involving snipers within church compounds, illustrating that no location in the city has remained truly immune to the reach of the conflict.

Experts and religious leaders continue to emphasize that the shrinking Christian community is a microcosm of the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With limited access to medical supplies and the constant threat of bombardment, the remaining residents face a daily struggle for survival. The death of Maysa and Mary serves as a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of the violence and the urgent need for a sustainable peace that addresses the security of all civilians, regardless of their faith.