IDF investigation ongoing as Pope Francis denounces killing of Christian women in Gaza

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has denied accusations that it killed two Christian women at Gaza's only Catholic Church, as investigations into the incident continue. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem claimed that an IDF sniper murdered the women inside the Holy Family Parish, where many Christian families have sought refuge during the conflict with Hamas. The IDF stated that their initial review found that the troops were targeting Hamas spotters in the area, and that they take claims of strikes on sensitive sites, including churches, seriously. The incident has displaced disabled individuals and damaged the church compound.