Israeli soldiers killed and injured hundreds of Palestinians in several parts of the Gaza Strip, including when the army fired missiles at the Latin Monaste .
GAZA CITY, PALESTINE: In Gaza City, the small but tight-knit Catholic Christian community gathered at the Holy Family Church for Christmas mass earlier this month, presided over by Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. As Israel has prevented many Christians in Gaza from traveling to Bethlehem to attend midnight mass at the Church of the
PNN/ Bethlehem/
The procession of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, arrived this afternoon, Thursday, to Bethlehem from Jerusalem, to preside over the midnight mass in the Church of Saint Catherine, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity.
Nativity Square witnessed the summit of celebrations with the arrival of the procession of Patriarch Pierre Battista Pizzaba, where peace was directed to him by official figures according to the protocol without overcrowding, gathering or jostling.
Meanwhile, the Christmas celebrations were held according to preventive measures in accordance with the followed health protocol.
Heavy Security was deployed at the entrances to Manger Square, heavy security was placed to work to prevent anyone from entering the square’s borders without adhering to safety and preventive measures, from wearing a muzzle and sterilizing hands.
Christians of Gaza Face The Israeli Blockade Published December 24th, 2020 - 09:36 GMT
Palestinian Orthodox Christians attend a Christmas Mass (AFP File Photo)
Highlights
“After years of conquering the Israeli blockade, coronavirus comes to increase our worries and kill our joy of the holiday,” Al-Jaldah told Arab News. “The atmosphere does not help with joy and celebration,” he added.
Nasr Al-Jaldah and his fellow Christians living in Gaza face a canceled Christmas mass as the coronavirus pandemic hits the small enclave’s churches.
The celebration usually offers a brief respite for Christian Palestinians living under an Israeli blockade that stops them traveling outside the territory to see family or from taking part in celebrations in Bethlehem in the occupied West bank.
Mohammed Al-Hajjar
Like every year, Christians in Gaza feel their isolation most acutely over the festive period.
A nearly decade and a half old Israeli blockade has often left the small community in Gaza bereft during the holidays.
But this year is still different. Not only is the Israeli blockade preventing people from visiting families elsewhere in Palestine or holy sites in Bethlehem or Jerusalem; this time there is also a pandemic keeping movement out of Gaza tightly restricted and necessitating a lockdown at home.
Christmas in Gaza is effectively canceled this year. Churches are closed and celebrations must of necessity be restrained.