On 4 October, a strike by the Israel Defence Forces on a residential block in Gaza City killed Maysa Abu Daoud, a Christian mother, and her daughter Mary al‑Najjar, adding to a growing tally of civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict.

Al Jazeera reports that the attack claimed the lives of five Palestinians in total, although the identities of the other victims have not yet been confirmed by local authorities.

According to the ministry of health in Gaza, the strike struck an area that had been used for residential purposes, a detail that has raised questions among international observers about compliance with the rules of engagement.

"The impact on the Christian community has been profound," said a local religious leader, speaking after the funeral procession.

The Israel Defence Forces released a statement asserting that the target was a military installation and that the operation was carried out in accordance with international law. The statement, however, was met with scepticism by humanitarian groups who pointed to the lack of evidence for a military presence in the building.

The Guardian has reported that the Israeli military is also attempting to undermine a documentary called NAZA, which alleges systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure in Gaza. The film’s makers claim that they consulted more than 100 sources with knowledge of the military’s operational protocols. Their statements came after the IDF issued a statement that it would try to discredit the film’s findings.

Within the Christian community, the loss of Abu Daoud and her daughter has sparked an outpouring of grief. The funeral, attended by dozens of residents, included a procession through the streets of Gaza City, a tradition that underscores the community’s resilience in the face of repeated assaults.

Gaza’s Christian population, which numbers roughly 50,000, has long endured the hardships of the blockade and periodic escalations. Their experiences, however, often remain underreported in the broader narrative of the conflict. The deaths of Maysa and Mary, therefore, highlight the uneven toll borne by minority groups in war zones.

The United Nations has called for a comprehensive ceasefire and a review of civilian protection measures, citing a rise in civilian casualties that now totals more than 300 in the past month. The international community is watching closely as Israel and Hamas negotiate a possible truce that could end the current escalation.

As the ceasefire talks enter the next phase, humanitarian organisations are preparing to increase aid deliveries to Gaza’s civilian population, with a particular focus on communities that have historically been marginalised.