Gaza City – For the first time in two years, the Holy Family Church in Gaza City illuminated its Christmas tree on December 24, 2024, a fragile beacon of hope amid the ongoing conflict. As worshippers filled the church for Christmas Eve mass, a palpable sense of relief mingled with the joy of simply being alive.
A Subdued Celebration Amidst Devastation
Despite the war’s harsh realities, a small Christmas celebration offered a moment of respite for Gaza’s dwindling Christian community.
- The Holy Family Church, Gaza’s only Catholic parish, held a Christmas service after a two-year hiatus due to the conflict.
- Approximately 3,000 Christians lived in Gaza in 2007; today, fewer than 1,000 remain.
- Several Christian places of worship in Gaza City have been targeted during the war, displacing many seeking shelter.
- Despite the trauma, many Gazans are determined to find joy and hope for a better future.
The twinkling lights and festive decorations couldn’t fully mask the devastation left by the recent fighting. The church limited celebrations to a prayer service and small family gatherings, but even the sound of the church bells ringing brought a measure of joy to those present.
What is the current situation for Christians in Gaza? The Christian population in Gaza has dramatically decreased in recent years, from around 3,000 in 2007 to fewer than 1,000 today, facing displacement and the dangers of ongoing conflict.
Dmitri Boulos, 58, embodies the resilience of the community. He and his family were displaced from their home in the Tal al-Hawa area of Gaza City after heavy shelling began. “We fled to the church seeking safety at the time, but it turned out there was no safe place,” Boulos said. “The church was hit twice while we were inside, and we lost friends and loved ones during that period.”
He recalls a time when “nothing had any taste at all,” overwhelmed by fear and grief. Despite the hardships, Boulos holds onto hope. “We are trying to make ourselves and our children feel that what’s coming will be better, even though the reality is extremely hard,” he said. “We hope things will return to how they were before.”
The Holy Family Church has long been a symbol of hope, not just for Gaza’s Christians, but for the wider community. Throughout the conflict, Pope Francis reportedly called the parish almost daily, maintaining a direct connection with those under siege.
Most of Palestine’s Christians—approximately 47,000 to 50,000—live in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Before the war, around 1,000 Christians resided in Gaza.
The recent conflict has seen several Christian places of worship targeted by Israeli attacks, forcing many to seek shelter elsewhere. While the Holy Family Church wasn’t included in areas designated for expulsion, the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius and the Anglican St Philip’s Church in Gaza City were.
Despite assurances from the Israeli military that places of worship would not be targeted, the nearly 550 people sheltering at the Holy Family Church remain wary, remembering past attacks. Many are grappling with trauma and attempting to rebuild their lives.
“My heart is still heavy with the tragedies and exhaustion we lived through during the war,” said Nowzand Terzi, 63, standing outside the church. She recounted being displaced by bombardment two years ago, losing her home to an Israeli strike and her 27-year-old daughter to illness, unable to reach a hospital due to the conflict. “May God help those who have lost their loved ones, and may conditions in the Gaza Strip calm down,” she wished.
That sentiment echoes across Gaza, where nearly two million people face ongoing Israeli attacks, ceasefire violations, and shortages of food, medicine, shelter, and basic services. The Government Media Office reports that more than 288,000 families are experiencing a shelter crisis due to Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.
According to UN figures, over 80 percent of buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed during the war, leading to widespread displacement.
Eighteen-year-old Edward Sabah, who sought refuge in the Saint Porphyrius Church in Zeitoun after leaving his home, remembers the church being bombed on October 19, 2023, killing 18 people. “We were gathered in the church courtyard… We were talking normally with other displaced people when suddenly a massive explosion hit one of the church buildings,” he recalled. He and his family survived and later moved to another church, where they lived for a year and a half. “During the past two Christmases, we tried very hard to create an atmosphere, but it was extremely sad,” he said, adding that he hopes to resume his high school education.
Despite the hardships, many Palestinians express a deep connection to their land and a desire for a better future. Janet Massadm, 32, decided to dress up and style her hair for Christmas for the first time in two years.
“We are tired of grief, loss, displacement, and fear that have taken so much from our lives and our years,” Massadm said. Displaced with her family to the church after bombardment in the Remal neighbourhood, she added, “Inside, I am completely exhausted because of what we have witnessed. But what can we do? We must try to create joy and happiness.” She hopes the war will end, people can reunite with loved ones, and Gaza will be rebuilt.
