WCC NEWS: Food supplies are running out in Gaza

As food supplies run out in Gaza, hunger is taking lives—and endangering many more. Since 2 March, when Israeli armed forces closed all entry points for humanitarian aid into Gaza, no food, no drinking water, no medicine, or any other essential supplies have entered the territory. File Photo: courtesy of DSPR-MECC 08 May 2025 Reports indicate that some 2.4 million Gazans are starving. Fr Silas Habib, of the Greek Orthodox Saint Prophyrios Church in Gaza, confirmed that people are in dire situations. He told the World Council of Churches: “Already we have no wheat, and we will run out of all basic supplies in two weeks,” he said. “In addition, we are running out of gasoline, which we need to bring water out of the well.” On 4 May, a statement by the Humanitarian Country Team of the Occupied Palestinian Territory released a statement on principled aid delivery in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and Gaza City. "For nine weeks now, Israeli authorities have blocked all supplies from entering Gaza, no matter how vital to people’s survival,” the statement reads. “Bakeries have shut. Community kitchens have closed. Warehouses stand empty. Children have gone hungry.” The statement reports that Israeli officials have sought to shut down the existing aid distribution system run by the United Nations and its humanitarian partners. “The design of the plan presented to us will mean large parts of Gaza, including the less mobile and most vulnerable people, will continue to go without supplies,” the statement reads. “It contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic – as part of a military strategy.” Habib asked for God’s mercy. “I want the churches worldwide to pray for us so the war will end and peace prevails,” he concluded.  Director of Gaza hospital: “our faith tells us, aways after a dark night, there will be another shining tomorrow” (WCC press release of 17 April 2025) DSPR-MECC See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland