When Attallah Tarazi, 76, opened a small parcel containing socks and a scarf, the gesture seemed almost absurd against the backdrop of a Gaza that had been scorched by war.
The Christmas Spirit in Gaza
The presents and the hymns that followed offered Tarazi a brief taste of holiday cheer in a territory still reeling from conflict. The fragile ceasefire that began in October has brought some relief, but the toll of the Israel-Hamas war and the ongoing hardships faced by displaced residents dampen traditional celebrations.
Tarazi and many of Gaza’s small Palestinian Christian community are trying to capture the season’s spirit despite the destruction and uncertainty that surround them. He says he clings to hope and the faith that has carried him through the war.
“I feel like our joy over Christ’s birth must surpass all the bitterness that we’ve been through,” he said. He has been sheltering for more than two years at the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza, where a church group, including choir members, toured among displaced people this Christmas season.
“In such a glorious moment, it’s our right to forget all that’s war, all that’s danger, all that’s bombardment,” Tarazi added.
Shadi Abo Dowd’s First Christmas
Shadi Abo Dowd is experiencing his first Christmas since the death of his mother, who was among those killed in July when an Israeli attack struck the same Catholic church compound where Tarazi lives and houses displaced people. Israel issued statements of regret and said the strike was an accident.
Abo Dowd said his son was wounded in the assault that also hurt the parish priest.
Before Christmas, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, visited Holy Family Parish. A patriarchate statement said the visit marked the beginning of Christmas celebrations in “a community that has lived and continues to live through dark and challenging times.”
Abo Dowd, an Orthodox Christian who observes Christmas on Jan. 7, said he does not plan to celebrate beyond religious rituals and prayers. “There’s no feast,” he said. “Things are difficult. The wound is still there,” he added. “The suffering and pain are still there.” “We’re still living in a state of no peace and no war.”
War Context and Casualties
Israeli strikes have decreased since the ceasefire agreement took effect in October, but deadly attacks have not entirely ended. Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of breaking the truce, and the more challenging second phase has yet to be implemented.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages.
Israel’s ensuing offensive has killed nearly 71,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the deaths were women and children. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has also caused widespread destruction and displaced the vast majority of the territory’s some 2 million residents. Torrential rain that recently flooded displacement camps and collapsed already badly damaged buildings further illustrate the many struggles and needs of the enclave and its people.
Faith Amid Tragedy
“I always tell my children, ‘God only gives the toughest battles to his strongest soldiers,'” Abo Dowd said. “We’re holding onto our Christian faith and onto our country, and we love our country.” He knows many Christians fled Gaza during the war and more who hope to leave if given the opportunity. He worries about the effect on the Christian presence and on Gaza’s social fabric. “It’s a tragedy,” he said.
His children would like to study abroad. “They’re young. What will they stay to do? There’s no future.”
A Christmas Without Many Familiar Faces
23-year-old Wafa Emad ElSayegh says the departure of many relatives and friends means Christmas doesn’t feel the same. He and family members gathered with others at Gaza’s Greek Orthodox church compound to put up decorations. The absence of friends who escaped Gaza fueled his nostalgia.
“We used to be together in everything,” ElSayegh said, who’s now staying with his family at the home of an aunt who left Gaza during the war. His favorite part of Christmas was the togetherness – the family gatherings, the celebratory events that drew Christians and some Muslims, and the excitement of children receiving gifts.
“There would be celebrations, songs and an indescribable joy that we, unfortunately, haven’t felt in a long time,” he said. With many relatives away, he said the usual Christmas atmosphere cannot be recreated.
Joy Amid the Pain
Elynour Amash, 35, is trying to bring some of that cheer to her children “through decorating and lighting the tree so they can feel that joy is possible despite all pain.” “My children feel a little bit of joy, like breathing after a long period of suffocation,” she said in written responses to the Associated Press. “They’re happy they’re celebrating without fear of a nearby explosion and because some chocolates and sweets have returned to their lives, in addition to foods that they had long been deprived of.”
She’s thankful her home is still standing, but the scenes of displaced people in tents that cannot shield them from the cold and rain often drive her to tears. “The sounds of explosions and gunfire can still be heard, and the fear hasn’t left the hearts. There’s continuous worry that the ceasefire won’t last.” She sees the toll in her youngest, who trembles when he hears loud noises.
“It’s as if the war lives inside of him,” she said. “As a mother, that pain is indescribable.” She also worries that someday Christians could disappear from Gaza. But, for now, “our presence, no matter how small, is a testimony of love, steadfastness and faith in this land,” she said.
Personal Losses
Tarazi lost a sister, who was among those killed when an Israeli airstrike hit the Orthodox church compound housing displaced people. The Israeli military said it had targeted a nearby Hamas command center. Tarazi said a brother also died after he could not get needed medical care due to the war.
He prays for peace and freedom for the Palestinian people. “Our faith and our joy over Christ’s birth are stronger than all circumstances,” he said.
Closing
In a land where war has reshaped everyday life, these stories of faith, loss, and resilience underscore the enduring human spirit. As the ceasefire hangs in the balance, the community’s quiet celebrations offer a fragile but powerful reminder that hope can persist even amid devastation.
