Gaza's Uneasy Christmas: First Holiday Since Ceasefire Marked by West Bank Tensions
On Christmas 2025, Christians in Gaza mark their first holiday under a fragile ceasefire. However, rising tensions from an Israeli raid in the West Bank threaten the delicate peace.
Instead of joyful bells, an uneasy silence hangs over Gaza this Christmas. While Christians mark the first holiday since a fragile ceasefire brought a halt to fighting, renewed violence in the occupied West Bank and fears over expanding Israeli settlements are casting a long shadow over any hope for lasting peace.
A Quiet Prayer Under Ceasefire
For Gaza's small Christian community, this year's Christmas is a muted affair. The ceasefire has silenced the guns for now, allowing for services to proceed in a calm not seen since before the last conflict. Yet, this peace feels precarious. The celebrations are marked less by festivity and more by quiet prayers for a stability that feels anything but guaranteed.
Tensions Flare in the West Bank
The quiet in Gaza stands in stark contrast to the occupied West Bank. An Israeli military raid there recently left dozens of Palestinians injured, inflaming regional tensions. This event amplifies the long-standing fears of Palestinian Christians, who worry about their community's erasure as Israeli settlements continue to expand.
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