It’s been two years since Jehan Trazi last celebrated Christmas.
But now that a ceasefire has been reached in Gaza, children like Toraj can finally decorate the Holy Family Church. The Church of the Holy Family was the only Catholic church in Gaza and remained largely intact despite two years of brutal war.
“This is the first holiday we’ve celebrated in two years. I’m glad the war is over,” 11-year-old Toraj told an NBC News camera crew.
“We want to celebrate the glorious birth of Jesus.”
Israel’s war against Hamas has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip, where the small Christian community has not celebrated Christmas for the past two years, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The war began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas attack on Israel that killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Fighting and routine Israeli military attacks have largely ceased across the enclave since a cease-fire took effect in October, but much of Gaza’s population lives in tents and food supplies remain limited, with devastation looming this Christmas.
Gaza Christian Community Coordinator George Anton said the celebrations were strictly limited to prayers inside church buildings.
“We don’t have activities for kids, programs for seniors or family gatherings like we used to have,” he said.
“We are still recovering from the aftermath of the war.”
But inside, Christmas trees were decorated, carols were sung, and some people wept as they lost family members or entire homes. People showed up dressed up, some wearing United Nations jackets. Next to the illuminated tree was a sign in Arabic that read, “The birth of new hope graces the holiday,” where children took pictures.
“We put up the Christmas tree, prepared the nativity scene, and decorated the church,” said Dawar Sabagh, 17.
Saber said this year’s Christmas felt different than the previous two, and at least compared to the near-constant war of the past two years, it felt somewhat normal.
“The atmosphere is better this Christmas. There is peace, there is no war, and for now the war is over. Thank God,” he said.
Despite the ceasefire being in effect, many people have been unable to return to their homes as much of the enclave has been reduced to rubble. Israeli forces remain in the Gaza Strip, but have withdrawn to positions inside the “yellow line” that separates areas under Israeli and Palestinian control.
Toraj said he first evacuated about two years ago after Israeli shelling and has lived in the church ever since.
“I hope next year will be better,” he said.
Edward Sabaa (17) expressed mixed feelings. “I don’t feel any real joy,” he said. “But we try to make this day special in every way we can.”
Before the war, Christians in Gaza traveled to Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank and visited Jerusalem, but Gaza’s borders remain closed to civilians amid a ceasefire.
“Our situation remains unstable and uncertain, and we are still deeply affected by what we have been through,” Anton said.
