Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV sends a message of condolence to the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City after an Israeli strike kills five people, including two Christian women.

Israeli Airstrike

The attack struck a residential building in the Rimal neighbourhood of western Gaza City in the early hours of Saturday, October 3, wounding numerous others.

Victims

Among those killed were Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud and her daughter, Mary Hafez Michel Najjar. The two Greek Orthodox women had recently found a new place of refuge and were trying to rebuild their lives.

Pope's Prayer

‘How long, O Lord?’ In a message to Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of Holy Family Church in Gaza, Pope Leo prayed for the victims and thanked him for his ministry.

“How long, O Lord?”

Cardinal Pizzaballa

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed his condolences on behalf of the clergy and the diocese, condemning the loss of innocent lives.

Humanitarian Conditions

According to medical sources at Al-Shifa Hospital, those wounded in the attack were in serious condition. The Israeli military said the strike targeted a Hamas command centre or leader.