# Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City kill five, including two's

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-military-strikes-in-gaza-city
> Updated: 2026-10-03T10:56:00.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 2.

An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in the Rimal neighborhood of western Gaza City killed at least five Palestinians on October 3, 2026. Among the victims were two Christian women, Maysaa Khader Ibrahim Abu Dawoud and her daughter Mary Hafez Michel al-Najjar, who had recently moved from a shelter at the Holy Family Catholic Church to a rented apartment. Other reported casualties include Dr. Yasmin Khamis Al-Boubou, a multimedia department head at the University of Palestine, and her mother.

Mahmud Basal, spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defense Directorate, characterized the incident as a “massacre against the Christian community,” alleging that the Israeli military is targeting both Muslims and Christians without distinction. He noted the strike occurred without warning and called for international intervention to stop the attacks.

Religious leaders have expressed profound grief. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, offered condolences, and Pope Leo XIV sent a personal message of condolence to Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of the Holy Family Parish. A funeral for the victims was held at the St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the operation targeted Ali Ahmed Al-Amoudi, whom they described as the deputy chairman of Hamas’s political bureau and a senior figure involved in decision-making regarding the October 7 attacks. The IDF noted that measures were taken to mitigate civilian damage and stated that the outcomes of the strike are under review.

The attack occurred despite a ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025. Gaza Ministry of Health data indicates more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed since that agreement was implemented.

## Claims

- An Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment in western Gaza City killed five Palestinians, including four women. (disputed by 13 sources)
- Dr. Yasmin Khamis Al-Boubou and her mother were also among the casualties of the strike. (disputed by 2 sources)
- The victims were identified as Maysaa Khader Ibrahim Abu Dawoud and her daughter, Mary Hafez Michel al-Najjar. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- The two women had recently left the Holy Family Catholic Church shelter to return to a rented apartment. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the two Christian Palestinian women. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The St. Porphyrius Church in Gaza City issued a condolence statement for the deceased women. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Since the ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10, 2025, more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Israeli military stated the airstrike targeted Ali Ahmed Al-Amoudi, a senior Hamas political bureau official. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Pope Leo XIV sent a personal condolence message to the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-03: Gaza Civil Defense reports Israeli strikes targeting Christians and Muslims

The Gaza Civil Defense Directorate reports that Israeli military strikes are targeting both Muslims and Christians in the Gaza Strip, including a recent strike that killed a Christian mother and daughter.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gaza-civil-defense-reports-israeli-strikes-targeting-christians-and-muslims

### 2026-10-03: Gaza City airstrike kills two Christian women and three others

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City killed five Palestinians, including a Christian mother and daughter, while targeting a senior Hamas official. Religious leaders, including the Pope, have expressed deep sorrow.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-airstrike-in-gaza-city-kills-five-including-palestinian-christian-mother-and-daughter

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Cite as: Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City kill five, including two's. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-military-strikes-in-gaza-city