Israel hits back after claim IDF sniper ‘killed mum & daughter sheltering in Gaza church’ as Pope slams ‘terror tactics’

ISRAEL has hit back at claims that an IDF sniper "killed" a mother and daughter sheltering inside a church in Gaza.

Pope Francis dubbed their deaths as an "act of terrorism" after he previously said the conflict in Gaza had "gone beyond war".

Nahida and her daughter Samar Antoun, both Christians, were taking refuge inside the Holy Family Parish church in Gaza when they were shot dead.

Church officials claimed the pair were killed in "cold blood" in a church where many Christian families have been sheltering since the start of the war.

But the IDF has said its investigation so far does not conclude that Israeli troops were responsible.

It has also not ruled out that Hamas killed the women.

"One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety," the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement.

"They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents."

A further seven people were shot and injured as they tried to protect others hiding inside the church.

A friend of Nahida and Samar claimed they were shot by Israeli snipers.

Hammam Farah wrote on : "This morning Israeli snipers shot and killed my two family friends in an attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza.

"Nahida (Um Emad Anton) and Samar, mother and daughter, were walking to the Sisters’ Convent to use the only bathroom.

"One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety. Their bodies remain strewn across the church courtyard."

Pope Francis condemned the killings and said this weekend: "Unarmed civilians are the objects of bombings and shootings.