Orthodox Christians in war-torn Gaza observed a solemn Christmas this year, with congregants expressing that there would be no presents for children and a profound absence of joy during the holiday.
At the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City, as clashes continued throughout the Palestinian territory, approximately a dozen members of the Orthodox Christian community came together for their annual service.
Older men and women participated alongside Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias in lighting candles and offering prayers for loved ones, as well as for an end to the ongoing 15-month conflict.
Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on 7 January.
“Celebrations are confined to prayers only; there are no gifts for children and no signs of joy during this holiday,” stated community member Ramez al-Suri.
“We hope and appeal to all nations to assist in achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”
“After 15 months of war, our Christian community consistently prays for peace, with all our hopes centered on love and harmony for everyone and an immediate end to the conflict,” he added.
The Church of Saint Porphyrius suffered damage in an Israeli assault in 2023.
In the church courtyard, which was partially damaged in an Israeli airstrike in October 2023, the extent of destruction that has ravaged much of Gaza is evident in the surrounding bombed buildings.
Outside the church, community member Fuad Ayyad expressed: “We awaken every moment to bombing, massacres, genocide, or the martyrdom of a citizen.”
As a result of the strike that impacted the church, 18 Palestinian Christians were reported killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
“We welcome the holiday with joy, though it is diminished for Christians,” Mr. Ayyad remarked, stating that “sadness persists and prevails across both the western and eastern churches and within the Palestinian community, be it Muslim or Christian.”
On 25 December, when Catholic and other denominations celebrated Christmas, Pope Francis, in his annual message, called for “arms to be silenced” globally and made an appeal for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan.
He also condemned the “extremely grave” humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The Hamas attack in October 2023 resulted in 1,208 fatalities, primarily among civilians, as reported by official Israeli statistics.
Since then, Israel’s military operation has led to 45,885 deaths in Gaza, the majority being civilians, as stated by figures from the health ministry run by Hamas, which the United Nations deems reliable.
Three militants killed in West Bank raids – Israel
The Israeli army reported the deaths of three Palestinian militants during separate “counterterrorism” operations in the northern occupied West Bank; Palestinian medics indicated that one of the deceased was a teenager.
A military communiqué noted that two militants died when the Israeli air force targeted an “armed terrorist cell” that opened fire during a raid in the village of Tammun, near the city of Nablus.
The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that an 18-year-old was killed “as a result of shelling” and that five individuals were severely injured during the Israeli operation.
The Red Crescent stated its teams had transported the body of the 18-year-old to the nearby city of Tubas, where a hospital director identified him as Suleiman Qutaishat.
Residents of Tammun noted that Israeli forces took the body of a second deceased individual.
The Israeli military statement indicated that “weapons were confiscated and several wanted individuals were apprehended” during the raid.
In a separate operation in the village of Taluza, near Tammun, the military asserted that a militant was killed “in close-quarters combat,” in addition to confiscating an AK-47 rifle and detaining one person.
A man lights a candle in Gaza City on Orthodox Christmas Day.
The Red Crescent revealed that its teams had recovered the body of a 40-year-old man, identified by residents as Jaafar Dababseh.
Hamas declared that he was a member of the group.
Residents stated that Mr. Dababseh was fatally shot by Israeli forces in front of his home.
Hamas mourned his death in a statement, recognizing him as a former prisoner in Israel and one of its operatives.
Mourners were observed carrying Mr. Dababseh’s body draped in a Palestinian flag through Taluza during his funeral.
The Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank reported one fatality in Tammun and another in Taluza due to Israeli gunfire.
The Israeli military declared that their forces executed raids overnight across the West Bank, apprehending multiple individuals deemed wanted.
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Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, violence in the West Bank has surged, separated from Gaza by Israeli territory. Israel has maintained its occupation of the West Bank since 1967.
According to its health ministry, Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank have killed at least 821 Palestinians, including some militants, since the Gaza conflict began.
In the same timeframe, at least 28 Israelis have perished in the West Bank, based on official Israeli figures.
Just yesterday, three Israelis were killed when armed individuals attacked vehicles along a northern West Bank road, as reported by medics.
