GAZA, (PIC)
Palestinian Christians in the Gaza Strip commemorated “Good Friday” on April 3, a solemn occasion preceding Easter, despite ongoing Israeli ceasefire violations and dire humanitarian conditions.
This occasion comes nearly two years after Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives of more than 72,000 civilians, wounded 72,000 others, and caused widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure.
During the war, Israeli airstrikes targeted many places of worship, including churches in Gaza City that were sheltering displaced people, as well as Christian clerics and citizens.
Dozens of Christians attended the Good Friday mass at the Holy Family Church of the Latin Patriarchate in Gaza’s Old City, with women and children participating despite the difficult security and humanitarian situation.
The church itself had been struck several times in recent months, most recently in July 2025, when three displaced people were killed and nine others were injured, including a priest.
A member of the Orthodox Church’s board of trustees in Gaza, Elias al-Jalda, said that this religious holiday comes amid suffering and dire conditions resulting from Israel’s attacks.
“The Palestinian people continue to be tortured and killed. We call upon the conscience of every free person to work to stop this senseless war,” Jalda said.
“Palestinians have the right to live a normal life, like other peoples of the world,” he added.
