GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP — Broken crucifixes and shards from a statue of Jesus Christ have been swept up, but Gaza's tiny Christian community says the violent warning sent by Islamic militants cannot be erased.

The ransacking of a Catholic convent and adjacent Rosary Sisters school during Hamas' sweep to power broke more than wood and plaster. It signaled the end of a peaceful, if sometimes uneasy, relationship between Gaza's 1.4 million Muslims and 3,000 Christians.

Despite promises of protection by Hamas leaders, Christians fear more attacks, and some say they want to leave. Gaza's flock already has been hit hard by emigration in recent years, and a new exodus could remove what is left of one of the Arab world's oldest Christian communities.

"We don't trust them. Our time is coming," said a Greek Orthodox Christian, who in the current climate of fear asked not to be identified.

No one has claimed responsibility for damaging the convent and school, and Hamas vehemently denied involvement.

However, signs point to Muslim extremists rather than ordinary vandals. A statue and picture of the Virgin Mary — who is held in high esteem by Muslims — were left untouched.

At a Tuesday meeting with a priest, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was fired as prime minister by President Mahmoud Abbas after Hamas seized control in Gaza, promised to find the perpetrators. However, he played down the attack, referring only to damage to the school, not the convent.

The assailants struck toward the end of Hamas' five-day battle with rival Fatah forces loyal to Abbas. The damage was discovered June 15.

The school's administrative computers and laptops were stolen. Deputy school Principal Hanadi Missak said Hamas officials returned the stolen computers, but didn't explain where they found them.

Missak suggested the vandals were acting on their own.

Other Christians blame Hamas — at the least for not preventing the destruction. The attack marked a watershed for Gaza's Christians, crushing the belief that a shared identity as Palestinians would override Muslim-Christian differences.

Christians have held a unique place in Gaza's society as respected members of the territory's small elite, running schools, hospitals and businesses.

There haven't been any attacks on Christians since the ransacking, but many said they fear it's just a matter of time.

"Many say the easiest thing is to migrate if they can't feel safe," said Bernard Sabella, a researcher who has conducted surveys among Palestinian Christians. "But if we all leave, what is left for the nation?"