Pope Francis Criticizes Israel For Killing Christians In Gaza

Pope Francis on Sunday once again suggested that Israel was employing "terrorism" tactics in Gaza, condemning the reported killing by the Israeli military of two Christian women who had sought refuge in a church complex, as reported by Philip Pullella for Reuters.

The Patriarchate reported that an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) "sniper" had killed the two women, identified by the pope as Nahida Khalil Anton and her daughter Samar, as they walked to a convent of nuns in the compound of the Holy Family Parish. I Photo: © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk; Catholic Church England and Wales Flickr

During his weekly blessing, Francis referenced a statement about the incident on Saturday by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Catholic authority in the Holy Land.

The Patriarchate reported that an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) "sniper" had killed the two women, identified by the pope as Nahida Khalil Anton and her daughter Samar, as they walked to a convent of nuns in the compound of the Holy Family Parish, according to Maayan Lubell's report for Reuters.

Israel also killed an Al Jazeera videographer.

The Patriarchate statement mentioned seven other people shot and wounded as they tried to protect others.

"I continue to receive very grave and painful news from Gaza," said Francis. "Unarmed civilians are the objects of bombings and shootings. And this happened even inside the Holy Family parish complex, where there are no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick or disabled, nuns."

Francis stated they were killed by "snipers" and also referred to the Patriarchate's statement that a convent of nuns of the order founded by Mother Teresa was damaged by Israeli tank fire.

"Some would say 'It is war. It is terrorism.' Yes, it is war. It is terrorism," he said.

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