Gaza City – For many Christian children in Gaza, the familiar symbols of Christmas, like Santa Claus and the Christmas tree, remain largely unknown. The ongoing conflict and restrictions have cast a long shadow over the holiday season, impacting families and their ability to celebrate.
The absence of traditional celebrations is felt particularly keenly by families who have suffered losses. For the third consecutive year, the home of Lisa al-Souri will be without a Christmas tree. Lisa, her husband Tarek, and their child Issa were tragically killed in an Israeli strike that targeted the St. Porphyrius Church in the al-Zaitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City. Their family was erased from the civil registry, and with them, the festive lights that once illuminated their home during the holidays were extinguished.
Across Gaza, the Christmas season arrives with a somber tone for the Christian community. Traditionally, celebrations would begin in mid-December with the ringing of church bells in the Old City, signaling the start of festivities for both Catholic and Orthodox denominations. However, the recent conflict has deeply affected the community, leaving emotional wounds that are difficult to heal. Today, only approximately 667 Christians remain in Gaza.
Mai Ayad, a mother of three, is attempting to revive Christmas traditions in her home after two years of displacement and hardship. She tells DZWatch that her youngest daughter, Mariam, has little understanding of what a Christmas tree is, as the conflict began when she was only two years old. Despite this, Mai plans to take her children to the church for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, hoping they can experience the traditions they have been deprived of due to the conflict.
Ayad mentions that her daughter recognized Santa Claus from online videos and repeatedly asked about him and when he would arrive. She hopes that Christmas will bring peace and joy without conflict and that she can reunite with the rest of her family in the occupied West Bank.
For the third year running, Israeli forces continue to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, preventing Palestinian Christians from reaching Bethlehem for the traditional pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity. This closure is part of a broader set of restrictions impacting over two million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.
DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
