Following ceasefire, many Christians in Gaza return to homes to find them damaged or destroyed

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has enabled Christians to return to their homes in Gaza, but many have been damaged or destroyed in the conflict.

Following the welcome ceasefire between Israel and Hamas over the weekend, some 600 Christians sheltering in two churches in Gaza began returning to their homes – only to find that most have been severely impacted by the conflict.  

“About 75% of the houses of the Christians are damaged or totally destroyed,” says an Open Doors source. “The Christians still find shelter in the two church buildings as they didn’t return yet to their houses.”

“Those who still have their own house will go back to it and they will take their relatives with them,” he added. But it’s not without risk – the situation in Gaza remains volatile and many people have lost everything. “Some are scared that they may be attacked by people who have nothing.”

It’s unclear what most Christians in Gaza will now do, with our source expecting many to leave the country to settle elsewhere for their own safety.

Please pray

• Give thanks for the ceasefire, and pray the agreement lasts
• For peace, strength and wisdom for Christians in Gaza, and for their protection
• For the release of all remaining hostages and the healing of all those traumatised by the conflict.

18 November 2024

Keep praying: hundreds of Christians under constant threat in Gaza

“We’re constantly not feeling safe, with every day the risk of being harmed due to the war. That is one of the most difficult things,” says a Christian man in Gaza City. He’s asked to remain anonymous, and is communicating with Open Doors local partners by email. Since the war between Hamas and Israel started in October 2023, he has found refuge in St Porphyrius Church in Gaza City. There are 260 Christians who have sheltered in the church’s buildings for over a year.

Of the estimated 1,070 Christians who were living in Gaza when the war started, only some 600 are still trying to survive in Gaza. Hundreds have left, crossing the border to Egypt. Many of the remaining Christians found shelter in the Greek Orthodox church, like this young man, or in the Catholic church. Early in the conflict, on 19 October 2023, it became clear that this was not a guarantee of safety: during a bombardment of a nearby target by the Israeli military, part of the building collapsed and 18 Christians were killed. At least 30 from the small Christian population have been killed by bombardment or shooting.

Severe shortages

Of course, it is not just Christians who are suffering in Gaza. Every citizen living there is fearful for their safety, and for the severe scarcity of food, water and medicine. Every citizen needs our prayer. Added to that comes the availability of electricity. “That is only provided for a few hours a day by running a generator, which is used to pump water and charge mobile phones for a few hours.”

Outside the church compound, the situation is one of devastation. “The situation is extremely difficult. There is widespread destruction everywhere in the city,” he writes in his email. “Roads and utility networks like for electricity, water and communications have been destroyed. Also the shops, malls, and markets are almost completely flattened. The old and historical houses that tell the story of the city have been destroyed.”

“With other non-governmental organisations and the church, we’re able to help the Christians with money for food, water and gas,” says Chris*, the manager of Open Doors’ partner organisation in the region. He’s clear that the most important thing Open Doors supporters can do for the small Christian population of Gaza is to keep faithfully praying.

Encouragement from Open Doors partners

The work of Open Doors partners among the Palestinian Christians in the West Bank has also, of course, been affected by the war – but, praise God, most activities took place as scheduled. “Of course, due to the situation, you’re never sure if – for example – a training of several days can take place as planned,” Chris explains. “Will people be able to go to the training location, will the teachers be able to go there, especially those from abroad?”

He is very thankful that many activities do take place. “We just finished training a group of 20 women. We also continue a project to offer trauma and spiritual care to 50 Christians,” he says. There is also hope of doing more in Gaza, when possible. “As soon as the situation in Gaza is safe and we get allowance to go there, some of these newly trained people will start offering trauma and spiritual support to children and women.”

Open Doors local partners pay a price for working in the midst of war for over a year. Chris says: “None of us functions 100%; that is impossible. We do need your prayers. We’re under constant pressure because of the war and because of the need of the people around us.”

Prayer in the midst of war

The Christians who are sheltering in St Porphyrius Church try to maintain, as much as possible, a daily routine. They cannot go to work or school, but they have day-to-day activities that they perform together, as a makeshift community. “After our morning coffee we go to church for the morning prayer. We then clean our rooms and sleeping mats followed by breakfast. The rest of the day we talk together, spend time with each other and try to follow the news on radio and social media, when internet is available.”

Of course, their faith helps the Gazan Christians to keep going. Sometimes they see the protection of the Lord. “One of the Bible verses that helps me is ‘The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.’ Personally, I saw His protection when I left the church building just before it was hit by a bomb.”

We mustn’t underestimate the importance of prayer for the Christians in Gaza. “We always pray for an end to this war, for the return of peace to the land and that our children, loved ones, and friends remain unharmed. Please pray that peace will return to the land, and that an end will come to the bloodshed. Pray also that the city will be restored and life will return.”

*Name changed for security reasons