Gaza's tiny Christian community tries to revive the holiday spirit during the ceasefire

(24 Dec 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gaza City - 23 December 2025
1. Mid of children decorating tree
2. Close of stuffed bear on tree
3. Child decorating tree
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) George Anton, director of operations for the Latin Patriarchate: ++SOUNDBITE OVERLAID BY SHOTS 1-3++
"We are holding a few activities for the children to help with their mental health. We just want to relieve the children from the shock that they have experienced in the last two years of war and the conditions that completely swallowed them. They couldn't control it, but those were our conditions. They have suffered a lot. So we're trying a different touch this holiday season, different activities, so that they can feel some amount of joy."
5. Various of children painting banner
6. Residents putting up decorated tree
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hilda Joseph Ayad, 20, displaced Gaza resident: ++SOUNDBITE OVERLAID BY SHOT 6 & 8++
"It is true that we always have hope that it will get better and Gaza will become better, that we go back to our homes, celebrate, go back to the same way we were before the war, go to pray and celebrate. That we would be reunited again as a family, around the table tomorrow or at dinner on Christmas day and we would talk, relax and laugh. Every time I remember those moments, I feel sad of what our lives have become."
8. Various of people singing
STORYLINE:
Gaza's tiny Christian community was trying to capture some of the Christmas spirit on Tuesday as a fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war continued, but destruction and uncertainty remained unescapable.

Many were reeling from the trauma of the war, continued displacement and the loss of loved ones.

Hilda Joseph Ayad, a 20-year-old displaced Gaza resident, said she was holding on to hope and faith throughout the holiday, but added she can't help but reminisce, filled with nostalgia.

"We used to feel the atmosphere of the holiday, but now there is no celebration, not really," she said, as she remained displaced at the Holy Family church.

When she remembered past years, her family huddled around the table, eating, laughing and talking, she felt a deep sadness.

Yet, she said still has hope that the situation will improve, that Gaza will be rebuilt, and eventually she will be able to celebrate in her home again.

Meanwhile, in the church's courtyard, volunteers set up a large Christmas tree, after children decorated it with delight.

They also painted a large Christmas banner, opting for vibrant colors.

George Anton, director of operations for the Latin Patriarchate, said that he wanted to bring joy to children, despite all the pain and trauma.

"We just want to relieve the children from the shock that they have experienced in the last two years of war," he told The Associated Press.

The Holy Family compound, where the only Catholic church in Gaza is located, was hit by fragments from an Israeli shell in July, killing three people in what Israel then called an accident and expressed regret over.

Israeli strikes have decreased since the ceasefire agreement took effect in October, but deadly attacks have not entirely ended.

Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of breaking the truce and the more challenging second phase has yet to be implemented.

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