Gaza: can Christianity now survive?

Thirty out of the estimated 1,000 Christians still left in Gaza have been killed, according to local church sources.

And as Gaza’s Christian population continues to shrink, down from about 3,500 before the war began, commentators fear that one of the oldest Christian communities in the world may be literally dying out.

Of those 30, 19 have been killed by military action. Two were women shot dead by sniper fire at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Gaza City. The remaining 17 were killed while taking refuge at St Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church, when Israeli rockets hit its compound during an aerial attack on a Hamas command post. A further 11 have died from lack of medical care, including 48-year-old Hani Abu Daud, after he was unable to receive dialysis treatment due to the lack of fuel and electricity.

Dr Mitri Raheb is the former pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church in Bethlehem and an author and theologian who founded Bethehem’s Dar al-Kalima University. He said it was conceivable that the current conflict would spell the end of Christianity’s long history in the territory. ‘This community is under threat of extinction. I’m not sure if they will survive the Israeli bombing and, even if they do, I think many of them will want to emigrate. I believe that it is highly likely that, within this generation, Christianity will cease to exist in Gaza’.

Hanna Massad, former pastor of Gaza Baptist Church, is slightly more optimistic even though that church building has also been badly hit. Speaking to Baptist Press, he said: ‘There’s lots of damage in the church. God willing, we will wait until the war is over and then repair it.’ He was uncertain how many of the church’s 60 members will remain in Gaza. ‘There are many Christian families in the Christian community in Gaza who already have visas to travel abroad. But I’m sure some Christian people will stay in Gaza.’

As frequently as the war allows, Massad continues to minister to Baptists and other Christians sheltered at St Porphyrios and the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church. He provides hot meals, clothing, groceries and direct financial assistance to families. through the Christian Mission to Gaza, which he founded.