Baptist mission in Gaza dishing out hot meals during critical conditions

Baptist mission in Gaza dishing out hot meals during critical conditions

The Gaza Strip is currently grappling with a severe famine crisis, as reported by Evangelical Focus - world. The crisis, exacerbated by a prolonged blockade that has severely restricted aid, has led to a sharp increase in malnutrition and deaths, particularly among children.

Since the start of August 2025, at least 193 people—including 96 children—have died from malnutrition, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. This figure represents over 200 famine-related deaths since the conflict's escalation, as stated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The humanitarian situation is dire, with all crossings closed by Israeli forces since March 2025, cutting off all imports of food, medicine, and fuel. This blockade has prevented essential aid from reaching the region, further worsening food insecurity, malnutrition, and preventable diseases within Gaza.

The UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) and other humanitarian organizations have been unable to deliver aid, leading to extreme food shortages. The United Nations Security Council has held emergency sessions, urging protection of civilians, the release of hostages, and facilitation of humanitarian operations. The UN also stresses the need for urgent humanitarian relief and adherence to provisional measures from the International Court of Justice to ensure basic services and aid reach the population.

Regarding ongoing humanitarian efforts, UNRWA and other agencies are calling for immediate humanitarian access to Gaza. However, aid delivery remains blocked, and millions of civilians are suffering without vital supplies.

In the midst of this crisis, the Christian Mission to Gaza, led by the Baptist church, has been providing a glimmer of hope. Over the weekend of 25-27 July, the mission served approximately 2,000 hot meals to those in need.

However, the Christian community in Gaza has not been immune to the conflict's impact. The Gaza Baptist Church was severely damaged by Israeli bombs in late 2023, and a friend of the church community was killed while trying to get food for his family. Two families now live in what remains of the church's main building.

Pastor Hanna Massad, despite being currently in the United States, maintains direct contact with Christians in Gaza. He stated that they will need to see after the war what to do regarding the church, but they continue to minister to the Christian community.

The ongoing conflict has also resulted in the deaths of 63 people due to starvation, as reported by the WHO. Of these, 25 were children and 38 were adults, with 24 of the deceased adults being under five years old. In the first two weeks of July, over 5,000 children under five sought outpatient treatment for malnutrition.

The ceasefire agreement is still not achieved due to the hostages held by Hamas, as stressed by US President Donald Trump. Trump has pledged to send US food aid and urged Israel to ensure its distribution, while also emphasising that more than a dozen hostages continue to be held by Hamas, hindering the achievement of a definitive ceasefire agreement after the war that began with the attacks carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023.

The Israeli government has endorsed a military takeover of Gaza City, which risks displacing approximately 800,000 Palestinians and potentially escalating violence and suffering. UN officials warn that there is no military solution to the conflict and call for a political solution based on a two-state framework to avoid further catastrophic humanitarian consequences.

International figures such as Mary Robinson and Helen Clark are urging decisive global action to halt what they describe as an unfolding genocide and famine crisis in Gaza. The UN, UNRWA, and other humanitarian organisations continue to call for immediate humanitarian access to Gaza, emphasising the urgent need for aid and protection of civilians.

1. The UN also stresses the importance of implementing provisional measures from the International Court of Justice to ensure basic services and aid reach the population, especially in light of the severe famine crisis in Gaza.
2. In addition to the current health-and-wellness crisis, the ongoing conflict has resulted in 63 deaths due to starvation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
3. Fitness-and-exercise programs may not be a priority within the context of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where at least 193 people—including 96 children—have died from malnutrition since August 2025.
4. Amidst the war-and-conflicts in Gaza, political solutions are being sought to avoid further catastrophic humanitarian consequences, as urged by UN officials and international figures such as Mary Robinson and Helen Clark.

Read also: