Baptist mission in Gaza serves warm meals amidst severe hardships
In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the distribution of food in Gaza is facing numerous controversies and severe restrictions, leading to a critical humanitarian crisis. The situation is marked by famine-like conditions, widespread malnutrition, and the near-total collapse of essential services.
Controversies and Aid Access
Aid distribution in Gaza has been tightly controlled and largely limited, with delays and restrictions imposed primarily by Israeli authorities, citing concerns that Hamas diverts aid resources for its own use and to fund fighters. The Israeli military announced a "tactical pause" and humanitarian corridors in late July 2025, following international criticism, but aid remains insufficient and carefully monitored, with only certain organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) able to operate on the ground.
Casualties and Malnutrition
Gaza is experiencing famine-like conditions. Over 20,000 children have been treated for acute malnutrition, with reported deaths directly linked to starvation and related diseases increasing. More than 320,000 children under five are at risk of acute malnutrition, with thousands suffering from severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of undernutrition. Since late May 2025, over 1,060 people have died in attempts to obtain food amid dangerous conditions at aid distribution points.
Current Humanitarian Status
Approximately one-third of Gaza’s population faces days without food; more than 500,000 endure conditions nearing famine, risking death or irreversible health damage, particularly for young children. Over 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure is destroyed, including the health system overwhelmed by malnutrition cases and lacking fuel and supplies. The humanitarian crisis is compounded by displacement—safe zones cover less than 12% of Gaza—and collapsing water and sanitation services, exacerbating disease spread and mortality linked to hunger.
Aid Efforts
WFP remains one of the few organizations delivering food, having fed over 1.3 million people though conditions remain volatile and inadequate to fully meet needs. The United Nations and other international actors continue to call for expanded aid access and cessation of hostilities to enable effective food distribution and protect civilians.
The situation is further exacerbated by the loss of church members due to persecution before the war. The Gaza Baptist Church, which was severely damaged by Israeli bombs in late 2023, is now providing hot meals to those in need amid the conflict. Despite the war, Pastor Hanna Massad continues to minister to the Christian community, sharing stories of the hardships faced by the people, such as the tragic death of a friend's 40-year-old nephew who was shot and killed while trying to get flour to feed his family at a food distribution site.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 63 people died of starvation in the Gaza Strip this month, with 25 being children and 38 being adults. This grim reality underscores the urgent need for increased aid access, cessation of hostilities, and effective food distribution to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza.
- The distribution of food in Gaza is heavily controlled, with Israeli authorities often imposing restrictions to ensure aid doesn't reach Hamas for their use.
- Despite the ongoing conflict, the World Food Programme (WFP) continues to provide food to a significant number of people in Gaza.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is not only marked by famine-like conditions and widespread malnutrition but also by the near-total collapse of essential services like health and water supply.
- The ongoing war and conflicts, in addition to political instability, have a profound impact on health-and-wellness issues such as mental health, nutrition, and lifestyles, as well as food-and-drink access in Gaza.
