In Gaza, Christians celebrate Christmas locked within their church. They found refuge there at the start of the war with Israel. Since then, these Palestinians have not been able to get out. And even within the confines of their place of worship, their security is not guaranteed. For the hundreds of internally displaced people, living conditions are increasingly difficult. And this directly threatens their health.
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In the Church of the Holy Family, a small nativity scene – very simple – has been installed at the foot of the altar. That night, a midnight mass was celebrated to mark the birth of the Messiah of Christians, but also to pray for peace. Because the community lives in permanent fear. A fear reinforced by what the Catholic Church has described as “ murder » of two parishioners in the church grounds on December 16 by an Israeli soldier.
Khalil Sayegh is a Christian from Gaza. He is currently in the United States, but some of his relatives live within the church grounds: “ They are obviously terrified. Especially when they saw the snipers killing the people around them. The oldest lady was going to the bathroom and was killed on the way. So, people, for a time, as long as the snipers were present around the church compound, did not even dare to go to the toilet. »
Refugees who have no access to healthcare
Injured or sick, none of the displaced within the church can receive medical treatment. And due to lack of care, Khalil Sayegh’s father died this week. “ Doctors think that towards the end he had a heart attack or stroke or something like that, explains Khalil Saygh. Then he died. Had he not been medically neglected, his death would have been completely preventable. »
So for this community, religion is the last refuge, he judges: “ It seems that people are turning to God because they are losing hope in humanity and the international community. The Christians of Gaza feel like the whole world has abandoned them, let them down. They therefore turn to God to send him their prayers and their tears. »
Christmas is supposed to be a celebration, but this year, Khalil Sayegh is struggling to find reasons to rejoice.
It’s really difficult to think about this question. I wonder if there is reason to rejoice? Is there any reason to hope? When we see that the world has tolerated such a crime, such a level of atrocities in the 21st century, it is difficult to have hope. But what gives us hope is the feeling that God is with us. The story of Christmas is God incarnate in the form of a man who comes to this earth. The message is that God feels the pain of the people who live on this Earth, whether they are Palestinians, Israelis or anywhere in the world. God feels the pain of humanity when it is oppressed and truly stands with those who suffer.
Khalil Sayegh: “When we see that the world has tolerated such a crime, such a level of atrocities in the 21st century, it is difficult to have hope”
Read alsoIsrael-Hamas war: Christians remaining in northern Gaza take refuge in churches
Very little access to food and drinking water
The church is located in the northern part of the Palestinian enclave and therefore where humanitarian aid is difficult to deliver. Help still insufficient. Despite the vote on a United Nations resolution calling for a delivery ” in large scale » of humanitarian aid, the number of trucks entering this territory besieged by Israel has not yet changed.
“ There is a food problem. There is very little drinking water. There is also no water for washing or showering, which is also a problem that can cause all sorts of illnesses. There are people who were injured by the Israeli army and who are still in the church. The army surrounded the church. She could have provided medical care. She did not do it. She didn’t evacuate them. The Red Cross did not evacuate them and they are still bleeding in the church, so much so that we can say that they are gradually killing them. »
This Sunday, the faithful prayed for peace, because since October 7, they have lived in fear. Like all Gazans, they constantly feel in danger.
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