Advertisement Messenger PublicationsMessenger Publications Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

Gaza's Christians & Muslims grow closer under Israeli attacks


shattered convent wall

shattered convent wall

The Servant of the Lord and Virgin of Matara Convent inside the Latin (Catholic) compound in Gaza was damaged by shelling from the Israelis yesterday. Earlier the three sisters from Mother Teresa's order, and the 29 disabled children and nine elderly women sheltering in the Latin Church of the Holy Family were told to evacuate by the Israeli army. ICN has no more information about them tonight - but a brief message from Gaza said they "alive but not safe". After the bombing of the UN refugee shelter in a girls school last night, noone is safe, the message said.

Solidarity between the Christian minority and Muslim majority is growing in Gaza as both suffer under the Israeli offensive, with churches sheltering all religions and prayers being offered up on all sides.

Without prior warning, an Israeli missile hit the house of the Ayyad family last Saturday. The Ayyads, who are Christian, were the first family among the tiny minority in Gaza to be targeted since the offensive began three weeks ago. The Ayyad’s home was severely damaged. Furniture was ruined and family belongings such as children’s toys were strewn everywhere as a result of the missile’s impact. But naturally the human cost was much greater.

Jalila Ayyad was known among the people of Gaza as a woman that had nothing to do with any militia groups. “We are a Christian minority and have no links to Hamas or Fatah - we keep to ourselves and avoid problems,” says Fouad Ayyad, Jalila’s nephew.

A memorial service was held on Sunday for Jalila at Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church. The church has become a haven not just for Christian but also hundreds of Muslim families seeking shelter there as the offensive drags on.

“The church has been our hosts for the past two weeks, offering food, clothes and whatever we needed, their loss is our loss, their pain is our pain,” says 45-year-old Abu Khaled.

At the memorial service, Archbishop Alexios said: “Another human being, an innocent one, has lost her life." In the pews, crowds of Palestinian Christians sobbed as first from their tiny minority to be killed in the conflict was laid to rest.

Jalila’s body was carried by both Muslims and Christians to the grave. It seems the shared wounds, mourning and rage are bridging past divides in war-ravaged Gaza.

Last week, Gaza’s Roman Orthodox Church also sustained damage by Israeli artillery shelling. Fifteen graves were damaged and damage was also caused to the Church’s sole hearse, says Kamel Ayyad, a parish member.

“The world must realise that Israel’s missiles don’t differentiate between Christians and Muslims,” said Abu.

At the memorial service a young man said: “Here is a Palestinian, an Arab, a Christian woman, martyred by Israeli shelling,” he said. “Bombs slammed into us and killed without differentiating between civilians and combatants.

A statement on Embrace the Middle East Facebook page says: "Be encouraged with these words from a partner in Gaza yesterday: "Please know that your moral support & prayers for the people of Gaza is priceless & and is helping to keep hope and faith alive."

See more at: www.middleeasteye.net/news/gazas-christians-and-muslims-grow-closer-defiance-israeli-attacks-372261379#sthash.EwQHD7d5.dpuf

And on Twitter: #GazaUnderAttack

Adverts

Apostleship of the Sea

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon