Gaza: Shell-shocked parish prepares for Christmas

First Sunday of Advent Mass © Holy Family Parish

Source: Aid to the Church in Need

Gaza's Christians are preparing for their first Christmas without conflict for two years - despite widespread damage and devastation.

Fr Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Gaza City's Holy Family Church, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that they are doing their best to get ready to celebrate the birth of Christ, but the situation is dire.

He said: "The world should know that there are over two million people here who have nothing and need everything."

With the 10th October ceasefire between Israeli authorities and Hamas broadly holding, the parish has started planning for the religious feast.

Preparations are underway despite isolated violations of the ceasefire, including the wounding of at least four people earlier today (Tuesday, 2nd December) after an Israel Defence Forces drone opened fire on civilians in Gaza City's Al-Tuffah district.

Fr Romanelli said: "We are deciding what to organise and we have begun rehearsing choirs and dabkes - Palestinian group dances - and we may even hold a small show outside the walls of our compound, if conditions permit."

The priest is hoping to organise seasonal visits to the sick and bring them small gifts - both those living in the compound and those few who have returned to their homes.

The Holy Family's parish priest is trying to obtain chocolate "whatever the cost… [hoping] it will do everyone good".

Since the ceasefire, emergency supplies have been arriving more regularly.

Fr Romanelli said: "Since the fighting stopped, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has managed to send us important aid with which we have been able to help over 12,000 families".

Through the Latin Patriarchate - ACN's project partner in the region - the charity has provided more than £650,000.

Although UK government counter-terrorism sanctions prevent funds from being transferred into Gaza mean the UK office of ACN is not able to help the Holy Family parish, it has supported those who fled to Jerusalem from the Gaza borders when the conflict began and Christians suffering from the economic impact of the war in the West Bank.

The church's compound is currently home to around 450 people - mostly Catholic and Orthodox.

These include more than 50 people living with disabilities who could not leave Gaza City during the conflict, including 30 Muslims.

About 60 people have managed to move out, with some returning to their homes even if they are damaged, but they rely on the Holy Family for drinking water and power to charge their mobile phones.

Fr Romanelli said: "Some have tried to clean their houses or what is left of them" but adds that heavy machinery is needed to clear the bomb damage and most infrastructure - including water and electricity - was damaged during the war.

He added: "There is no sign of reconstruction, the lack of means causes suffering and the lack of prospects leaves people agitated."

Fr Romanelli also called for the Christmas season to be one of prayer for peace.

He said: "We should pray. We should pray a lot - for peace, and for all the inhabitants of this Holy Land, be it Gaza, Palestine or Israel."

With thanks to Christophe Lafontaine

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org