The attack caused injuries and widespread panic among those seeking safety within its grounds. Following news of the two deaths, CAFOD’s partner, Catholic organisation Caritas Jerusalem, released the following statement.
“It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the deaths of Mr Saad Salameh, aged 60, and Mrs Fumayya Ayyad, aged 84, following this morning’s shelling of the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza.
"Mr Salameh, the janitor of the parish, was in the yard at the time of the explosion. Mrs Ayyad was sitting inside a Caritas psychosocial support tent when the blast sent shrapnel and debris into the area. Both were critically wounded and transported to Al-Mamadani Hospital, but due to the severe lack of medical resources and blood units in Gaza they tragically passed away. Their deaths are a painful reminder of the impossible conditions faced by civilians and medical personnel under siege. May Saad and Fumayya rest in peace. We carry their memory with us.”
Elizabeth Funnell, Middle East representative for the Catholic aid agency CAFOD, added:
“We once again call on the international community to act urgently to protect civilians, places of worship and humanitarian spaces, and to ensure that people in Gaza have access to the most basic right: the chance to survive.”
Three young people who had been standing at the entrance of the church were also badly injured and were rushed to the hospital using private vehicles, due to the urgency of the situation. We remain in contact with our team in Gaza and are awaiting updates on their condition.
We will update whenever we have further information to share from our partner organisation, Caritas Jerusalem.
Notes to editors
For more information or interview requests, please contact:
Rosalind Mayfield, CAFOD Media Officer
+44 (0)7425 596890
Melissa Nethersole, , CAFOD Media Officer
+44 (0)7584 409484
CAFOD’s out-of-hours media line
+44 (0)7919 301429
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas Internationalis, working with communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to fight poverty and injustice, including those worst hit by climate change. The agency works with people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality.