Gaza’s dwindling Christian community observed Easter on Sunday, marking the holiday with somber reflection rather than celebration as the war in the territory enters its third year. With fewer than 1,000 Christians remaining in the enclave, the holiday was defined by displacement and the absence of basic necessities.
Traditionally a time of communal meals and festive traditions, this year’s Easter proved difficult for families struggling to find food. Severe shortages of electricity, water, and staples like eggs have made customary celebrations impossible for many.
Fouad Ayad, a 31-year-old bioenergy trainer currently displaced from his home near the al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital, described the difficulty of maintaining traditions. He spent the days leading up to the holiday searching markets for eggs to color for children, but found none.
“We decorate eggs for the young children, and sometimes young Muslim children would visit us to get colorful eggs,” Ayad told Al Jazeera. He noted that the communal lunches that once defined the holiday are now out of reach due to the scarcity and extreme cost of meat.
A community under pressure
Christians have maintained a presence in Gaza for over 2,000 years, but the community has been devastated by the ongoing conflict. Many members have fled the region, while others have been killed in attacks on homes and churches during the war that began in October 2023.
While a ceasefire has been in place since October, the territory remains under a strict blockade. Israel continues to control the flow of goods into the Gaza Strip, where more than two million Palestinians remain displaced and facing humanitarian crisis.
For those still in Gaza, the religious services held inside local churches offered a rare moment of solace. Families gathered for quiet prayers, focusing on survival and the hope for a lasting peace as they navigated the reality of a conflict that has claimed more than 72,000 lives across the territory.
Ayad reflected on the stark contrast between the current state of the city and the memories of previous years. “We used to have a communal lunch together, and we would color eggs. It was a beautiful holiday filled with joy,” he said.
