Gaza City residents attend Orthodox Christmas mass as war rages in the besieged territory

The Israel-Gaza war casts a pall of gloom over Christmas mass at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City.

The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of around 1,140 people in Israel, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Militants also took around 250 hostages back to Hamas-ruled Gaza.

In response, Israel launched a relentless offensive that has claimed over 22,300 lives, according to the territory's health ministry.