Easter Under Siege: Christians Face Violence as Holy Week Services Continue
Key Takeaways
- Palestinian Christians in Gaza observe Good Friday amid ongoing conflict.
- Israel restricts attendance at the Holy Sepulchre, with about 15 clergy present.
- About 380 million Christians celebrate Easter under threat of armed conflict and persecution.
Challenges to Worship
Christian communities faced unprecedented disruptions during Easter week amid multiple overlapping conflicts.
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In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, attendance was restricted to around 15 clergy members -- a first in centuries.
The public was barred due to sweeping security measures affecting both Christian and Muslim sites.
Gaza Church Bombed
The fragile ceasefire in Gaza collapsed on Easter Sunday as US-Israeli forces resumed attacks.
Israeli warplanes bombed Gaza's Holy Family Church that had served as a shelter for nearly 3,000 Palestinians.
The bombing of a church in active use as a shelter was widely condemned by Christian leaders worldwide.
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