Christmas in Gaza after two years of war: Prayers for peace and stability

Our correspondent in Gaza was present in the Holy Family Church and monitored for us the atmosphere of the Christmas celebration, where the sounds of children playing were mixed with prayers for peace.

From hunting and hunger to a glimmer of hope

Mr. Elias Al-Jalda – a Palestinian citizen of the Christian community – stands recalling a painful episode of events. In the year 2023, the siege prevailed, as the place was subjected to sniping operations that claimed the lives of two women, and the year 2024 came to be the “year of hunger” and difficult conditions.

He adds: “This year is a year of hope and optimism. We hope that we will set out to rebuild Gaza, improve conditions, and return to normal life. The Palestinians have the right to live a new life away from troubles, killing and destruction, and to return to their homes instead of living in the streets and tents in the harsh cold. “I believe that this is a people who have the right to live in dignity.”

Prayers for love

As for the young woman, Amal Hilal, she described to us her feelings on this holiday by saying: “My feeling on Christmas, two years after the war, was that my prayers did not contain optimism and hope. My only prayers were for the war to end, and now we are returning with a new prayer in which we hope for safety, peace, and love, and for us to return to how we were before the war.”

As for Her message to the world is:May peace prevail over us and that we remain present in Gaza.”

Mr. Rami was displaced to the Latin Monastery complex since the beginning of the war and has remained there until now. He explains this to us by saying: “I stay In the Latin Monastery complex since the beginning of the war, we have gone through very difficult circumstances. Thank God for everything. We lost our homes, and we are trying to live with the current circumstances. As you know, today is the birth of Christ. We try to live in joy and peace, even though we all carry a hole in our hearts, but we want to continue life and bring joy to the children. We are peace-loving people.”

He expressed his hope that the next Eid would be better and added: “Our celebration this Eid is simple and limited to the joy of children. We hope that the New Year will be a year of peace and love for all.”

Wishes for peace and stability

Mr. Youssef Tarazi points out the extent of the devastation that befell the Christian community, like the rest of society in Gaza, as they lost their loved ones, their jobs, and their homes: He added: “This Eid was limited to praying inside the church and celebrating with the members of the Christian community. I hope that the next Eid will be in a better situation and that peace, security and stability will prevail for all the Palestinian people.”

Youssef Tarazi wished that “security and stability would prevail and that we would live in love, tolerance, stability and unity.”