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After two years of war, Christians who have been sheltering inside Gaza’s churches are considering their future in the Holy Land following the ceasefire deal.
SAT-7 ARABIC’s You Are Not Alone program spoke to Elias al-Jalda from the Holy Family Church in Gaza as many displaced by the conflict started returning to what remains of their homes.
The United Nations Development Program, which is assessing the state of the territory, said that over 80% of all buildings have been destroyed or damaged.1
One of them is Elias’ home. “I rented a new house from some friends, and we moved in for a few days when it was quiet and there was no striking. We don’t know if it still stands though,” he said. “So, we are thinking about how we will find another house. Will the crossings be open? Will members of the Christian community leave Gaza? Will we stay here and go back to work? Will life return to normal? How long will it take to rebuild at least the basic infrastructure?”
Elias and his family have been living alongside hundreds of other Christians at the Holy Family Church for most of the two-year conflict. On July 17, the building was hit in a strike which claimed three lives.
“Over the past two years, we forgot what normal life looks like,” Elias said. “We put mattresses on the floor, living in groups of relatives and acquaintances. Over these two years, we’ve become closer, getting to know each other better than ever.
Elias From Gaza
“This event completely changed our lives. For two years, there has been no gas, no fuel for electricity. Even with solar panels, we only generate a little power. Water and food are hard to come by. Everything has become more difficult.”
Christians have also been sheltering at Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza during the conflict. That building was also hit in an airstrike, which killed 20 people including 18 Christians who were mostly from a single family.
The presence of the Church in the land where Jesus was born is significant, though the Christian population of the Holy Land is small at around 1.6%. The death and displacement of believers and the destruction of church property over the two-year conflict threatens the future of the Christian presence in the territory. It has been dwindling in recent years as a result of wars and violence.
“Unfortunately, many Christians in Gaza have left already, and more are waiting to leave,” Elias said. “I still believe that there is hope and the possibility of us living in this country and that life will return to normal. Therefore, I am committed to remaining, meaning living on the land on which I was born, and on the land of Jesus Christ. The beginnings of Christianity were here in this land. Therefore, I believe that Christians must remain in the region.”
Source
1 BBC News
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