UPDATE: Casualties of Israeli Strike on Catholic Church Were Orthodox

A funeral was held at the St. Porphyrios Church for two Orthodox Christians who were killed in an Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church. Photo: Khalil Sayegh

GAZA — After initial reports of two dead and several injured due to a shelling of the Holy Family Catholic Church by the Israeli military, it has been revealed that the two casualties of the attack were Orthodox Christians. The death toll has since risen to three - another Orthodox Christian.

In a social media post, the Church of St. Porphyrios shared the names of the departed and announced the times for their funerals. At 4 p.m. local time, a funeral was held for Saad Issa Salama and Fumiya Issa Ayad. The third reported casualty was Najwa Ibrahim Abu Dawoud, whose funeral was scheduled for an hour later.

Saad Issa Salama and Fumiya Issa Ayad. Photo: Eastern Christians

"May they rest in peace, and may you have a long life," the Church stated.

As the Holy Family Catholic Church compound is newer and larger, more people are sheltering there. The majority of Christians in Gaza are Orthodox, and the Church of St. Porphyrios is only 200 meters away from the Catholic church. 

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