Pope Francis Condemns Reported Israeli Sniper Attack on Gaza Catholic Church

As of Sunday morning Israel has not issued a statement on the alleged shootings at the parish. CNA contacted the IDF seeking comment but did not receive a response prior to publication.

‘Painful news from Gaza’

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 17, Pope Francis expressed his deep concern over the reported attack. He also added new details beyond what was included in the Latin Patriarchate’s statement, including the victims’ full names and that the victims were targeted while “going to the bathroom.” He also referred to multiple “sharpshooters.”

“I continue to receive very serious and painful news from Gaza. Unarmed civilians are subjected to bombings and shootings. And this even happened inside the parish complex of the Holy Family, where there are no terrorists, but families, children, sick and disabled people, nuns,” the pope lamented.

“A mother and her daughter, Mrs. Nahida Khalil Anton and daughter Samar Kamal Anton, were killed and other people injured by sharpshooters, while going to the bathroom,” the pope continued.

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In its statement Saturday, the Latin Patriarchate said that it is “at a loss to comprehend how such an attack could be carried out, even more so as the whole Church prepares for Christmas.”

Holy Family Parish is the only Catholic church in Gaza and has been a place of refuge for Palestinian Christians to flee from the ongoing violence since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on Oct. 7.

The Latin Patriarchate also said in its statement that earlier in the day Saturday, prior to the alleged sniper shootings, the nearby Convent of the Missionaries of Charity was hit by a rocket fired by an IDF tank. 

“The convent is home to over 54 disabled persons and is part of the church compound, which was signaled as a place of worship since the beginning of the war,” the statement said.

“The building’s generator (the only source of electricity) and the fuel resources were destroyed. The house was damaged by the resulting explosion and massive fire. Two more rockets, fired by an IDF tank, targeted the same convent and rendered the home uninhabitable,” the statement said. “The 54 disabled persons are currently displaced and without access to the respirators that some of them need to survive.”