Christian Palestinians have marked Palm with a feast that was overshadowed by the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

People gathered for the mass at the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City, where children held palms as part of the day’s tradition.

“The feast was mixed with the smell of blood,” said Palestinian Christian Mousa Ayyad, who came to attend the prayers. “We keep praying for God to install peace in the land of peace.”