Baptist mission in Gaza supplies warm meals amid critical circumstances
In the midst of ongoing conflict and severe access limitations, Christian aid groups are working tirelessly to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On July 18, a tragic incident occurred as the Latin Church in Gaza was hit by Israeli air strikes, resulting in the deaths of three Christians and the injury of ten others, including a priest. Despite this, Christian agencies such as Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Christian Mission to Gaza, linked to the Gaza Baptist Church, have continued their operations.
CRS and other Christian organisations have been supplying food, hot meals, psychosocial support, and other basic needs to approximately 1.7 million people since 2023, despite sustained access constraints and renewed blockades. Their operations, however, are "amid severe access limitations and aid blockades," with formal transport and communications often undermined, and a reliance on informal methods like donkey carts.
The Gaza Baptist Church, which was severely damaged by Israeli bombs in late 2023, is still actively involved in feeding programs. In fact, the Christian Mission to Gaza reported serving around 2,000 hot meals over a single weekend as a small example of local church-led feeding efforts.
However, food distribution has become a contentious issue. The UN previously operated about 400 distribution points, which have been replaced by a tiny number of Israeli-controlled sites. This has forced large crowds into heavily militarized zones, making distribution both insufficient and hazardous. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—used to resume some aid—has drawn criticism for security concerns at its distribution points, which reportedly resulted in fatalities.
International agencies have warned of rapidly worsening malnutrition and deaths from starvation. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported at least 63 deaths from starvation in late July 2025, including 25 children, and thousands of children requiring treatment for severe acute malnutrition. Faith-based coalitions and the UN say Israeli forces have killed people waiting for food since May, with the UN reporting more than 1,000 people killed while seeking food aid.
The impact on the Baptist church community in Gaza is significant. The congregation is dispersed, suffering severe deprivation, and reliant on small-scale Christian feeding initiatives such as Christian Mission to Gaza. Church leaders, such as Hanna Massad, have traveled to preach and raise support abroad.
U.S.- and U.K.-based Christian organisations are urging ceasefires, unrestricted humanitarian access, and larger-scale international interventions to prevent famine and protect civilians. These groups have also released resources to keep Palestinian voices visible in church communities.
Recent developments include US President Donald Trump's recognition of the famine crisis and pledge to send US food aid to Gaza. Trump also urged Israel to ensure the distribution of the aid and stressed that more than a dozen hostages continue to be held by Hamas, hindering the achievement of a ceasefire agreement.
Despite the challenges, Pastor Massad remains hopeful, stating that they will need to see after the war what to do but they continue to minister to the Christian community. Tragically, one of Pastor Massad's friends had a 40-year-old nephew who was shot and killed while trying to get food for his family.
The number of church members has fallen to 60 due to persecution before the war between Israel and Hamas. June saw the highest number of children admitted for treatment for malnutrition since October 2023, with 6,500. Among the deceased, 24 were under five years old.
As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, these Christian aid groups remain steadfast in their efforts to provide relief and support to those in need.
Sources:
- Catholic Relief Services
- Christian Mission to Gaza
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- World Health Organization
- Evangelical Focus
- Amidst the ongoing challenges in Gaza, such as the impact on mental health and general news, Christian aid groups like Catholic Relief Services and Christian Mission to Gaza are striving to improve health-and-wellness and nutrition for approximately 1.7 million people.
- The consequences of war-and-conflicts in Gaza are evident in the dispersed Baptist church community, where factors like fitness-and-exercise may take a backseat due to severe deprivation and malnutrition. U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of the famine crisis and pledge to send US food aid are steps towards alleviating these issues.
- In the realm of politics, these Christian aid groups advocated for ceasefires, unrestricted humanitarian access, and larger-scale international interventions to prevent famine and protect civilians—a call that continues to resonate as the situation in Gaza evolves.
- Despite the hardships faced by these aid groups due to access limitations, aid blockades, and potential danger, they remain undeterred in their efforts to provide psychosocial support, food, and other essential needs to the people of Gaza, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to service, even in the most challenging circumstances.
