Christian Prescence in Gaza at Risk of Disappearing

Gaza’s beleaguered Christian community has recently seen several families leave the territory to transit through Egypt to seek a new life elsewhere.

After more than six months of war, tens of thousands of people are dead, and satellite images reveal 35% of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed. Watchdogs have declared several districts at risk of famine. 

Since their homes and livelihoods are gone, many Christians have found refuge in the strip’s two standing church buildings. They are faced with the dilemma of staying and helping others rebuild or leaving to join relatives abroad and start a new life elsewhere. For now, many are deciding to leave. Estimates from International Christian Concern’s sources show that somewhere between a quarter and a half of Gaza’s pre-war Christian population of 900 to 1,000 Christians has left, with another quarter applying and registering to leave.