In Gaza, a humble Christmas celebration marks hope for an end to suffering

It’s been two years since Jehan Trazi last celebrated Christmas.

But now that a ceasefire is in place in Gaza, children like Trazi finally got to decorate the Holy Family Church, Gaza’s only Catholic church, which was still largely intact despite two years of brutal war.

“This is the first holiday we’ve celebrated in two years, and we are happy that the war has ended,” Trazi, 11, told an NBC News camera crew.

“We want to celebrate the glorious birth of Jesus.”

For two years, Christmas has gone without celebration for the tiny Christian community in the war-torn Gaza Strip, where more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war against Hamas, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The war began with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, in which more than 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were taken hostage.

Although the fighting and routine Israeli strikes have largely paused across the enclave since the ceasefire came into effect in October, the devastation has loomed over the Christmas celebrations this year, with much of Gaza’s population living out of tents and food supplies still limited.

George Anton, a coordinator for the Christian community in Gaza, said the celebrations were limited strictly to prayers inside the church building.

“There will be no activities for children, no programs for the elderly, no family gatherings like we used to organize,” he said.

“We are still emerging from the aftermath of war.”

But inside, the Christmas tree was decorated, carols were sung, and some people who had lost family members and entire homes broke down in tears. People appeared dressed up, some wearing United Nations jackets. An Arabic sign with the words “The Birth of a New Hope Adorns the Holiday” was set up next to a lighted tree, where children took pictures.

“We decorated the Christmas tree, set up the Nativity scene and decorated the church,” Dawar Sabagh, 17, said.

Sabagh said he felt this Christmas was different than the previous two, and it was at least a day that has felt somewhat normal compared to the almost nonstop war of the last two years.

“This Christmas has a better atmosphere. There is peace, there is no war, and for now, we are done with the war. Thank God,” he said.

Even though a ceasefire is in force, many haven’t been able to return to their homes because much of the enclave has been reduced to rubble. The Israeli military remains inside Gaza, though it has withdrawn to positions behind a “yellow line” separating areas under Israeli and Palestinian control.

Trazi said he was first displaced nearly two years ago following Israeli bombardment and has lived in the church since.

“I hope next year will be better,” he said.

Edward Sabaa, 17, shared mixed feelings. “I don’t feel real joy,” he said, “but we try, in every way, to make this day special.”

Before the war, Christians in Gaza would make a trip to Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank or visit Jerusalem, but Gaza’s borders remain closed to civilians even as the ceasefire continues.

“Our situation remains unstable and uncertain, and we are still deeply affected by what we have lived through,” Anton said.