GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The attack on the Church of the Latin Convent in Gaza City at dawn Feb. 26 was bolder than previous attacks that have targeted Christian sites in the Gaza Strip. Unknown assailants placed a bomb inside the walls of the compound, which includes a church, school, nursery, a rectory and a nunnery.

Al-Monitor visited the church and saw the location of the bomb, which left a small hole in the ground near the church's main gate. A source from the church told Al-Monitor that they heard a strange noise coming from the direction of the abandoned cemetery before the blast. Perhaps the attackers crossed the cemetery and then entered into the gated area, the source noted.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, pointed to the phrases that had been written in black on the wall facing the church gate. On the right side they had written "In revenge for the Muslims of Central Africa," and on the left "We'll get you soon, O worshippers of the cross."

"The sound of the blast was strong. We were very scared about how things would develop. [The assailants] lit a fire under the pastor's car, but when we came out to see what had happened, they extinguished it. Then the police came to investigate," said the source.