Gaza City, October 5, 2026
Photo: Facebook
A Christian mother and her daughter were buried at Gaza’s Greek Orthodox church of St. Porphyrius after an Israeli air strike destroyed their apartment building. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem is calling Maisa Abu Dawoud and her daughter Mary martyrs.
The strike hit an apartment building in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood early on Saturday, October 3. At least five Palestinians were killed, four of them women, health and civil defense officials said, reports Dawn.
“Today is essentially the worst day of my life. I lost my mother and my grandmother today,” said Fouad Al-Najjar.
In a statement released October 3, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem mourns “the martyrs” Maisa and Mary and offers its condolences to their family and loved ones. The Patriarchate says: “In sorrow and in the hope of the Resurrection, we pray for the repose of the souls of Maisa and Mary. May the Lord grant them rest where all pain and sighing have passed away, and grant their family patience and consolation.”
Photo: Facebook The Church adds: “Every person is created in the image of God. Every human life is sacred. We remember all the people of Gaza in our prayers, asking for mercy for the departed, healing for the wounded and strength for the bereaved.”
It concludes with a prayer: “We pray for an end to the war and bombardment and for the protection of civilians. May a just peace prevail, so that the people of Gaza may live without fear for their children and loved ones. May their memory be eternal.”
Israel, which says Hamas has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of the ceasefire, has stepped up strikes on the group in recent weeks. Hamas has denied trying to carry out attacks or rebuild its arsenal and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace deal.
Last year’s US-brokered ceasefire calls for eventual reconstruction of the territory. But little progress has been made toward implementing a deal to end the conflict that includes terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops.
Gaza health officials say at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since last October’s ceasefire. Israel says four of its soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza over the same period.
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