Displaced Palestinians enduring harsh conditions in Al-Mawasi 'safe zone' long for peace
Gaza's Christians could not celebrate or experience any joy on Christmas for the second consecutive year as Israel continues its brutal war in the enclave.
Christians, like other people in the Gaza Strip, are also deprived of access to basic necessities.
Toni el-Masri, who marked Christmas every year at home in Gaza with his loved ones, spent this year's holiday in a makeshift tent constructed from plastic sheets. His family was forced to move to the al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis, designated as a humanitarian "safe zone" by Israel.
The mood in the tent encampment, where displaced Palestinians struggle for survival, was somber, and far from festive this Christmas.
- Lives shattered
The Israeli attacks have upended the lives of countless families, who face shortage of water, food, clothing, and medicine.
The Masri family's once-vibrant home, filled with joy during the holidays, was destroyed in Israeli attacks.
Their relatives, whom they visited during festivities, are now scattered.
- Celebrations overshadowed
This year, the holiday cheer was absent as small celebrations that defined Christmas - children carrying candles, drumming, and lighting up churches - were not observed.
“I live in a tent. How can I celebrate the holiday when I'm separated from my grandchildren and daughters?” said Masri, an elderly member of the community.
“Every year, we would pray in church and celebrate with our family and loved ones. We used to travel to Bethlehem in the West Bank to visit the Church of the Nativity. But for two years, that has been impossible,” he told Anadolu.
“We live under constant bombings and siege,” he said.
- 'We want to live in peace'
Masri's wife, Amal Amuri, described how their family, once vibrant and close-knit, has been torn apart by the war, which has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians to date.
“Before the war, we were never alone. Our children and grandchildren visited us, and we were a big family. But in this tent, there is no celebration,” she said.
“Here, there is no joy of Christmas. Every month, we hope for the war to end, but the situation only worsens," she said. “I hope the world stands with Gaza and calls for peace. All we want is to live in peace.”
