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Gaza Christians Mark Sombre Easter Amid War
Holy Saturday Service Amidst Conflict
Christians in the Gaza Strip are marking Holy Saturday and the upcoming Easter in somber conditions due to the ongoing conflict. Edward Sabbagh, a Gaza resident, explained that Holy Saturday is an important holiday for Christians worldwide, with Easter, the day of Jesus Christ's Resurrection, following. He urged Christians globally to pray for peace in Gaza, noting that they are currently doing the same. Sabbagh described the war as a very painful memory, causing immense psychological suffering. He added that the events were unexpected for anyone in Gaza and affected both Christians and Muslims.
War's Impact Across All Religions
Fahad Ayyad, another Gaza resident, expressed gratitude for being able to celebrate this year better than before, despite the difficult and harsh war period. His church was surrounded by danger. Although the war has ended, a little fear still lingers, but they trust in the Lord's protection and will not leave their land. Milad Ayyad stated that the genocide in Gaza has been ongoing for the past two years, even with a ceasefire. This year, they are only celebrating with prayers inside the church, having canceled all traditional celebrations that took place before the genocide began on October 7, 2023. Milad Ayyad emphasized that the war affected everyone, not just one component. He claimed that Israel does not differentiate between Muslims and Christians in Palestine; to them, if you are Palestinian, you should be killed, regardless of your religion. He added that Israel has killed around 6% of the Christian population in Gaza.
*Source: YouTube: Middle East Eye (2026-04-05)*
