Father Gabriel Romanelli (3rd behind), Parish Priest of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church, walks in a procession during Christmas Eve mass at the church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
A priest looks on as deacons stand nearby with candles during the Christmas Eve mass at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Worshippers attend the Christmas Eve mass at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Father Gabriel Romanelli, Parish Priest of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church, prepares communion at the altar before a figurine depicting the baby Jesus (outside the frame) during Christmas Eve mass at the church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Father Gabriel Romanelli, Parish Priest of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church, prepares communion at the altar during Christmas Eve mass at the church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Four women pose for a "selfie" picture on a phone after the Christmas Eve mass outside the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
A nun and five young deacons stand by a manger scene during the Christmas Eve mass at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Worshippers walk outside after Christmas Eve mass at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Deacons pray before the altar as the Parish Priest of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family, prepares communion during Christmas Eve mass at the church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Father Gabriel Romanelli, Parish Priest of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family, prays as he reads the bible above the altar by a figurine depicting the baby Jesus (outside the frame) during Christmas Eve mass at the church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa holds a mass marking the beginning of the Christmas period at the Holy Family Church at al-Zaytoun neighbourhood in Gaza City. AFP