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Christmas returns to Gaza’s Christian community after two-year hiatus

Gaza’s small Christian community has marked Christmas for the first time in two years, holding a low-key service under a fragile ceasefire that has brought a pause to large-scale fighting in the territory.

Worshippers gathered inside the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic parish in Gaza, which suffered repeated damage during the war while also sheltering displaced civilians. With security concerns still high, all observances were confined to the church building. Attendees focused on prayer, sang carols, and decorated a modest Christmas tree, avoiding any public celebrations.

The church was among several religious sites hit during the conflict. In one incident in July, a tank shell struck the church compound, killing three people and wounding ten others, including the parish priest. Israeli authorities later said the strike was accidental, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an apology to Pope Francis, describing the incident as caused by stray ammunition.



Community coordinator George Anton said the mood was restrained, noting that the congregation was still dealing with the consequences of war. All traditional festivities beyond the Mass itself were cancelled.

Gaza’s Christian population has dwindled dramatically over the past two decades. Local leaders estimate that only around 1,000 Christians remain in the enclave, compared with about 3,000 in 2007.

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1 COMMENT

  1. The Orthodox Christian Community in Gaza needs to go to Russia and join the Russian Orthodox Church, thus escaping the man-made hell of the Zionist, faux J3w$ who continue to commit war crimes, genocide, holodomor and murder!
    Palestine belongs to the Palestinians, and no one else, and the Balfour Declaration is / was illegal under the ‘League of Nations’ agreements, and later the United Nations circa 1948! The Balfour Declaration is illegal as such was not presented to the Parliament on official Parliamentary Letterhead, and was not ratified by the British Parliament, nor signed off by the British King!
    The Rothschild Banksters are responsible for the theft of Palestine and the continued genocide and holodomor there to this very hour!
    The City of London owns the International Bankster Cartel…where they steal and enslave via usury and property theft on a massive scale!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDppgVbKzvU
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9acRNOISo5Y
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDc1xeZJ9X8
    NOT ONE NATION has come to the military aid of Palestine…all nations have been compromised by the israeli Mossad, the CIA and the Deep State..!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9qywoAG2dI
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq2snSe_1A4&list=RDjq2snSe_1A4&start_radio=1
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6hrWzqRO0A&list=RDT6hrWzqRO0A&start_radio=1
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O78Sm11F_ps&list=RDO78Sm11F_ps&start_radio=1

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