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After war broke out in October 2023 between Israel and Hamas (which has ruled Gaza since 2007 and is regarded as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union), only a small remnant of Christians—an estimated 600 believers out of 1,000 before the war began—remains in Gaza. Most continue to shelter in the church buildings they fled to at the beginning of the war while a small number returned to their homes.
"The Bible says, 'Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.' We must endure the cross, and carry it. Our cross is heavy, because this war has been very hard on us."
Christian in Gaza
Our local partner recently had a rare opportunity to interview one of these Christians (he asked for anonymity) who is staying in the church buildings. He described what life is like right now for the people of Gaza and shares what an average day in the churches looks like—and how we can pray for our family who each day relentlessly try to put their faith and hope in Jesus.
Let's be honest. If you ask anyone that question, they'll tell you life is hard. There's no sense of safety in the city or the entire country. Psychologically, it's very difficult for everyone, from the young to the old.
Prices are skyrocketing again, and the border has been closed, which means no supplies are coming in. No significant aid is reaching us. There's fear in the streets—you can barely move around. People no longer have homes—they're all living in tents, camped on the streets. People's spirits are crushed.
There's no light at the end of the tunnel. No hope for peace. Even basic things are unavailable—like medicine. The lack of infrastructure, no proper sewage system—it all leads to disease outbreaks. Clean water isn't even available for children. We'd search the entire city just to find milk for a baby. For the elderly, we'd go from pharmacy to pharmacy to find medicine—at outrageous prices. It's a horrible feeling.
We used to invite people to Gaza. It had restaurants, tourism, the beach ... all of it vanished overnight. I advise those who have visited Gaza before to hold on to those beautiful memories—because it's all gone now.
When we wake up in the morning, we pray together, prepare breakfast and sit and chat over coffee. We clean our rooms—each of us cleans and airs out their mattress. We follow the news as best we can, although the internet is barely available—it often gets cut off. Phones too—they go out of service for long periods.
We try to have family gatherings, spend time with the youth. Of course, prayer was part of our daily life—morning and evening prayers together. On [weekends], we attend Sunday Mass; and Friday Mass during holidays like Christmas and Easter. The first [Christmas of the war], we couldn't do anything. But last year, we tried to ease the burden for the elderly and the children. We managed to get a few gifts and held some activities in the church. We even brought in Santa Claus. We stitched fabric and made a Santa costume and little Santa hats for the kids to bring them joy and lift them out of this psychological hardship.
We go out, but very cautiously. Recently, there was a bombing nearby, so we're afraid to move freely.
Providing flour, diesel, gas and basic supplies—each is a story in itself. For example, with flour, we needed daily bread for each person staying in the church. Diesel was around $2 a liter; now it's 98 shekels ($26.47) on the black market. A bag of flour reached 2,000 shekels ($548). As for diesel, we don't have water lines—so we need diesel to pump water for laundry, room cleaning, washing clothes and bathing, for more than 450 people at a time.
We had to bring in a generator and give a line to our neighboring school, which gets water. They pump the water, and we distribute it to nearby families. We created water distribution points.
In the beginning, everyone checked on one another. Relationships were good. People would invite each other for coffee: "Come drink coffee at my place" or "Let's go to so-and-so's room for tea." There was love and warmth.
But after a while, to be honest, people began to break down. Everyone became emotionally exhausted. Now, if you speak to someone, they might yell at you for the tiniest thing. People have become quick to anger.
We listen to both sides—who started it, who raised their voice. With the kids, we bring them together, try to reconcile the different perspectives, and sit as a group to resolve things.
Massive destruction. About 80% of Christian homes in the city have been destroyed. Their homes were looted—thieves came in and stole everything. The most painful thing is to see your belongings being sold in the market. That happened to me and my cousin. The houses need major repairs. There's no electricity or water. We're buying electricity—one kilowatt costs 30 shekels ($8.10), and that's barely enough to charge a phone or power a small lamp.
There's no transportation. We use donkey carts or old cars, and transport is very expensive. A ride that used to cost 2 shekels (54 cents) now costs about 10 ($2.70).
Some lost their homes and are waiting for the border to open so they can leave. After the truce, many people returned to check on their homes and see their loved ones. But once the war resumed, the border was shut again. Now they're stuck. If it opens, they'll head to Egypt and then maybe on to other countries.
Currently, we are about 600 people, down from just over 1,000. The church in Gaza will remain, and if Christians remain, there will still be life—but it will be difficult. Marriage among young Christians in Gaza will become very hard due to the small population. Marriages between relatives may increase, possibly leading to future health issues.
The Bible says, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake." We must endure the cross, and carry it. Our cross is heavy, because this war has been very hard on us.
Pray for peace to return to the Land of Peace—from the manger to Gaza. Pray for an end to the bloodshed. Pray for swift reconstruction of the city and for life to return as it once was. Pray for the continued presence of Christians in Gaza, and for each of us here. Please remember us in your prayers.
Through our local partner, Open Doors continues to support Christians in Gaza with food and other basic needs. When it's impossible to meet them face-to-face, we provide online trauma support to Christians.
- Pray for lasting peace and justice in the Holy Land.
- Pray for a final end to the war and bloodshed.
- Pray for swift reconstruction of cities and for life to return as it once was.
- "Pray for the continued presence of Christians in Gaza, and for each of us here. Please remember us in your prayers."