Recent events in Gaza

Once again, I am bombarded with inconsistencies. As we are in the midst of celebrating Christmas, as Bethlehem is decorated with lights and filled with the sounds, smells, and sights of Christmas and celebration, we are also aware of the pain and suffering that is occurring in Gaza right now. As many of you know, Israel started an airstrike on Gaza yesterday. According to Aljazeera news, the current death toll is 280 people and there are over 600 more who are injured, making yesterday the bloodiest day in Palestine/Israel since 1948. In addition, Israel has made it clear that these airstrikes will continue. On December 19, a 6-month truce between Hamas and Israel ended, making it unlikely that the fighting will cease any time soon. According to Aljazeera, Hamas is calling for a 3rd Intifada.
To make the situation even worse, medical supplies are running out, and the wounded have little to no resources. The UN has called this a humanitarian crisis, which it has been for some time now, as there has been an 18-month blockade on Gaza. People are starving, suffering, and dying.
Last night, I experienced yet another inconsistency. The principal from my school invited Marta and I to a wedding reception. As we walked up to the wedding hall just mere minutes from our house, we were shocked to find the hall dark and seemingly empty. As we walked up further towards the door, we were approached by a man asking us what we wanted. We told him that we had been invited to the wedding, and he ushered us in, explaining that they turned off all the outside lights and shut the drapes out of respect for the recent events in Gaza. It was strange walking into a room where there was so much joy, while at the same time thinking about Gaza. It is hard to find a respectful balance. Today I was amazed to see people laughing and talking on the streets, but then I realized that these people are confronted with issues like this on a daily basis. They need to have coping mechanisms to deal with these things that plague them constantly.
Today, in solidarity and respect for what is happening in Gaza, and as a nonviolent way to protest violent actions, all of the stores in Bethlehem and surrounding cities in the West Bank closed their doors. Walking through the city was eerie, as a usually lively city felt like a ghost town. This made me think a lot about the situation. If anything were to happen here, as a foreigner I would have the option and the resources to get out. However, the people I have come to know and love here would not have that same option. They can never escape this constant fear and questions of “what if….” Similarly, the Gazans don’t have the option to get out. They are stuck in a state of perpetual suffering and anxiety about the future. Please keep Gaza in your prayers.