Another Christmas in hardship for Gaza church

For Christians sheltering within the Holy Family parish in Gaza, there can be few comforts this Christmas. 

Electricity in the realm has been down for 2 years, leaving the parish depending on what it may possibly squeeze out of generators and solar panels. 

It is incredibly difficult to gather clean water, with people queuing three hours for a couple of pints. 

“We lack the whole lot,” the parish’s leader, Fr Gabriel Romanelli, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). 

He says things are literally higher now than when the ceasefire began a month and a half ago, but “this doesn’t mean that things are well”.

“They remain very serious, very delicate,” he said. 

Despite the ceasefire, some violence within the region has continued. Fr Romanelli says its hard for Gazans to imagine in real peace any time soon.  

“Many individuals are saying that the war goes to finish, however it has not ended yet. And due to this fact, peace has not yet arrived,” he said. 

“The biggest concern in the meanwhile is the proven fact that Gazans cannot yet see the sunshine at the top of the tunnel – they can not see any clear sign that peace is arriving.”

Adding to the challenges, the weather has turned cold and wet, making the bottom muddy and causing unhealthy waste-contaminated pools of water to form. At a time when individuals are most vulnerable to getting sick, medicine is briefly supply. 

“The electrical grid, the water system and the health system are all insufficient, based on the World Health Organisation,” he told ACN. 

“Medication for chronic illness, reminiscent of diabetes or hypertension, are scarce and the population desperately needs winter clothing for the cold weather, because most individuals have lost their homes, and are looking for shelter.”

The hardship has made it difficult for the parish to support others in need inside the community. The parish tries its best, despite lacking considerably itself, and has helped “tens of hundreds of families” because the war began. Still, Fr Romanelli feels “it isn’t enough”. 

Quoting Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the priest added: “It is sort of a drop within the ocean. It seems insignificant, but without us, the ocean would have one less drop.”

Over 400 individuals are sheltering within the parish compound, most of them Christians. Fr Romanelli is doing what he can to maintain their hope strong. 

“We continuously attempt to light a flame of hope,” he said.