Being a Christian in Gaza: Faith and Resilience in the Midst of Horror

For almost two years, the Christian community in Gaza has been experiencing extreme suffering, marked by bombings, a complete shortage of basic necessities, and the constant fear of losing everything.

The Zeitoun neighborhood, where the Holy Family parish is located, has become one of the few shelters for displaced Christians and Muslims. There, hundreds of people live crowded under roofs that constantly shake every time a bomb falls nearby. More than 50 worshippers have died since the beginning of the conflict; among them, the chronically ill, the elderly without medicine, and women and children unable to flee.

Food and water have become luxury items. A kilo of sugar costs what for us would be absurd, and many families go days without enough food. Churches have become the last remaining hope, functioning as shelters, makeshift kitchens, and the only humanitarian aid points.

In addition to the physical pain, there is an enormous psychological burden. The uncertainty of tomorrow, the emotional strain on the children, the anguish of knowing that prayer is no longer enough to stop the destruction. But even in the midst of this darkness, faith persists: priests, sisters, and faithful continue to celebrate Mass, pray, and care for one another.

For many, the big question is no longer how to survive day to day, but whether this small Christian community can withstand the ongoing pain without disappearing. They feel forgotten, ignored, yet keep the flame of hope alive.