Stories from the war in Gaza: Life sheltering in the Catholic Church

For the past six months, George Antone, along with his wife Nisreen and their three children, has called the compound of the Catholic church in Gaza home. George is Administrative Manager for Embrace partner Caritas Jerusalem. Caritas sent us this update, describing what life has been like for George and his family:

As the conflict escalated in October 2023, George and his family made the difficult decision to leave their home in the Rimal district of Gaza City and seek refuge in the Holy Family Catholic church.

With each passing day, more families sought shelter within the church compound, swelling the population to around 500. Despite the risks, this new community remained steadfast in their commitment to stay, determined to preserve the Christian presence in Gaza. “We decided we would stay,” George reflects. “Our place is in Gaza.”

The reality of war soon struck close to home as Al- Rimal district, once a bustling area, became a target for bombings. George recounts the destruction: “Our apartment has been destroyed. Our home was the most warm and beautiful place…When we heard…our home had been destroyed, my wife and my older daughter broke down.”

Within the loss, George and his family found strength in their faith… “We are in Jesus’ house, we are in his hands,” he says, “We choose life, despite being surrounded by death.”

Life within the church compound has been a delicate balance of survival and solidarity. Daily routines, including Masses, prayers, and caring for the injured, provided an appearance of order amid the insecurity. However, the lack of essential supplies like food, water, and medicine posed a constant challenge.

As the conflict raged into the new year, the situation grew increasingly dire. George reflects on the hardships his family and the community faced: “The struggle to secure our daily bread is exhausting…Life is shattered here.”

Despite the hardships, George remains focused on comforting and stabilizing his children. “We strive hard to provide our children with safety and protection,” he says. “All we have is to tell them that we love them above all else.”

Throughout the ordeal, the Antones’ cling to hope, drawing strength from their faith and the support of their community. “For the first time in our history, we are making the communion bread in Gaza with our own hands,” George shares. “We are determined to preserve the Christian presence in Palestine. This is our homeland.”

As the conflict persists, George’s story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Within the chaos of war, he and his family continue to choose life, standing as a beacon of hope amongst despair.