A Palestinian Christian is urging people to pray for the fast-dwindling numbers of Christians remaining in Gaza.

Elias Najjar says that a third of Gaza’s Christian population has either fled or died since fighting began in October.

“There were over 1,000 Christians in Gaza before the war. Now, eight months later, only 650 remain,” says Elias, who was born in Gaza, moving to Bethlehem on the West Bank with his family in 2007. “Some were killed [the current number of Christians who died of the bombings, snipers or lack of medicine is 33] and over 300 have left to go to Egypt or to other countries. I don’t think they will come back.”

He works for the Bible Society there and is in close contact with Gazan Christians as the fighting continues.

“It is very difficult. Almost all Christians left their homes since the second week of October 2023 and have found refuge in church buildings. Let me tell you, these are no hotels. The situation in Gaza is very dangerous. They are living in classrooms, two or three families together. The rooms are divided by desks with no privacy or comfort. They are scared when they hear airplanes, rockets or shooting, they see death and destruction. They know their homes are destroyed. They are waiting… for what future?”

He says that they lack even the basics. “The little food they get, isn’t healthy for the long term. Because of that they have a lot of problems with their stomachs.” With no work, people have no income, with prices mushrooming. “For example, one kilo of tomatoes now costs an equivalent of 30 US dollars.”

Still Elias says he sees some encouraging signs. “They are just lifting their hands and asking God for help. God is providing care and mercy to them. Gaza has become an example of the role of the church.” When people’s homes were no longer safe anymore and there were no remaining options, “the church was open to receive them, to meet their needs, to show them Jesus.” Church compounds have turned out to be an “oasis in the desert. The churches are setting an example, they are open 24 hours a day, people can rest in them, they are the hospital for people, spiritually, physically, there they find themselves accepted, find themselves in good hands, God is there.”

With such an uncertain future, Elias says that he expects many more to leave Gaza, either now or when fighting finally abates. He feels that families with children will be particularly tempted to move. “Imagine someone who lost everything, he needs to start from zero. So, he prefers to start from zero outside because he doesn’t want to lose it all again,” he says.

Recently this happened in his family. “My brother was leading a Christian school there in Gaza when he lost his home. He stayed for months, but God helped him to get out to Egypt.” Elias says he has tried to convince him to return to Gaza or the West Bank at a later date. “But he said, ‘I have children, I cannot wait years, I am responsible for my wife and children.’ So he decided to leave to go to Australia.” (Open Doors)