Palestinian Christian mother, daughter killed by Israeli army in Gaza church grounds

A Christian mother and daughter were shot dead by an Israeli soldier on the grounds of a Catholic church in Gaza City on Saturday, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said.

"Around noon (1000 GMT) today, a sniper of the IDF (Israeli army) murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza," where Christian families have been sheltering since the Israel's brutal military campaign broke on October 7, the patriarchate said in a statement.

Israel's onslaught has killed over 19,000 Palestinians, with thousands feared buried under rubble. The indiscriminate bombing has also targeted schools, hospitals and places of worship - including mosques and churches.

Tel Aviv has also imposed a complete siege on the territory, depriving 2.3 million people of food, water and fuel.

"Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they walked to the Sister's Convent. One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety," it added, without specifying the victims' ages.

Seven more people were wounded by gunfire as they tried to protect others, the statement said.

The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the incident on the grounds of the Gaza Strip's only Catholic church.

The patriarchate said no warning or notifications were given before the shooting started, adding: "They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents."

Israeli forces also fired a rocket targeting the convent, which is home to 54 disabled people. The patriarchate said that the building's generator and fuel resources were destroyed in the attack. The attacks also rendered the convent inhabitable, due to damage. The disabled people sheltering there are not displaced as a result.

The Latin patriarchate went on to express its "closeness and condolences to the families affected by this senseless tragedy."

"At the same time, we cannot but express that we are at loss to comprehend how such an attack could be carried out, even more so as the whole Church prepares for Christmas."