Mission offering hot meals amidst Gaza's dire circumstances, operated by Baptists
In the war-torn Gaza Strip, a dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Famine-like conditions have taken hold, with severe food shortages leading to widespread hunger, malnutrition, and starvation deaths [2][3]. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) issued a famine alert on July 29, 2025, confirming that the worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in Gaza.
According to the IPC's criteria, acute food insecurity affects over 20% of households, and malnutrition affects more than 30% of children. Officially, more than 147 starvation-related deaths have been reported, with many children suffering from severe acute malnutrition [2][3].
Food distribution remains critically insufficient and dangerous. Despite Israel's announcement allowing scaled-up aid and temporary pauses for UN convoys, the actual volumes of aid entering Gaza remain inadequate. Civilians face life-threatening risks when attempting to reach food due to armed conflict and obstructions near distribution hubs. Over 100 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the past days alone while searching for food, highlighting the perilous conditions on the ground [1].
The ongoing fighting and blockade severely restrict humanitarian assistance, contributing to the worsening famine crisis. The urgent need for an unrestricted flow of aid and ceasefire to protect civilians and enable community-level aid delivery in Gaza is evident [1][2].
Regarding ceasefire negotiations, there is no detailed recent information available. The ongoing conflict prolongs the famine conditions, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to the humanitarian impasse [1][2].
In the midst of this crisis, the Christian community in Gaza is providing what aid they can. The Christian Mission to Gaza, led by the Baptist church, is providing hot meals to those in need amid the war between Israel and Hamas. The Gaza Baptist Church, despite being severely damaged by Israeli bombs in late 2023, continues to serve as a shelter for two families [4].
Pastor Hanna Massad, currently in the United States, maintains direct contact with Christians in Gaza. In June, the highest number of children admitted for treatment since October 2023 was reported, with 6,500 [5]. In the first two weeks of July alone, over 5,000 children under five sought outpatient treatment for malnutrition [6].
Tragically, at least 63 people, including 25 children and 38 adults, have died of starvation in the Gaza Strip this month [7]. Israeli attacks at food distribution sites have also claimed lives, with over 1,060 people killed and 7,200 injured since May 27 [8].
On July 28, US President Donald Trump recognized the famine crisis and pledged to send US food aid [9]. However, the road to recovery is long and fraught with challenges. Pastor Hanna Massad stated that they will need to see after the war what to do but they continue to minister to the Christian community [4].
The war between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 7, 2023, with attacks carried out by Hamas, shows no signs of abating. The international community must act swiftly to alleviate the suffering in Gaza and ensure the safety and well-being of its civilians.
This article was originally published in Evangelical Focus - world.
References: [1] Al Jazeera. (2025). Gaza crisis: Israel announces temporary ceasefire. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/29/gaza-crisis-israel-announces-temporary-ceasefire
[2] Middle East Eye. (2025). Gaza faces 'famine' as Israel blocks aid, say UN officials. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-faces-famine-israel-blocks-aid-say-un-officials
[3] The Guardian. (2025). Gaza's children suffer as families struggle to find food amid crisis. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/30/gazas-children-suffer-as-families-struggle-to-find-food-amid-crisis
[4] Evangelical Focus. (2025). Gaza Baptist Church providing meals amid Israel-Hamas conflict. [online] Available at: https://www.evangelicalfocus.com/news/gaza-baptist-church-providing-meals-amid-israel-hamas-conflict
[5] UNICEF. (2025). Number of children admitted for treatment in Gaza highest since October 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/number-children-admitted-treatment-gaza-highest-since-october-2023
[6] The New Arab. (2025). Over 5,000 under-fives treated for malnutrition in Gaza in July. [online] Available at: https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2025/7/31/over-5000-under-fives-treated-for-malnutrition-in-gaza-in-july
[7] Middle East Monitor. (2025). At least 63 people die of starvation in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250731-at-least-63-people-die-of-starvation-in-gaza/
[8] Middle East Monitor. (2025). Israeli attacks kill 1,060 Palestinians at food distribution sites in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250730-israeli-attacks-kill-1060-palestinians-at-food-distribution-sites-in-gaza/
[9] Reuters. (2025). Trump recognizes Gaza's famine crisis, pledges U.S. food aid. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-recognizes-gazas-famine-crisis-pledges-us-food-aid-2025-07-28/
- Despite the ongoing war-torn conditions in Gaza, the Christian community, led by the Baptist church, is providing hot meals and serving as a shelter for those in need.
- Food distribution remains critically insufficient and dangerous, with many civilians facing life-threatening risks when attempting to reach food due to armed conflict and obstructions.
- The dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, characterized by famine-like conditions, severe food shortages, widespread hunger, malnutrition, and starvation deaths, has sparked calls for policy-and-legislation changes, urging an unrestricted flow of aid and ceasefire to protect civilians and encourage community-level aid delivery.
- The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has issued a famine alert, confirming that the worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in Gaza, with acute food insecurity affecting over 20% of households and malnutrition affecting more than 30% of children.
- While the international community is under pressure to act swiftly to alleviate the suffering in Gaza and ensure the safety and well-being of its civilians, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas prolongs the crisis, leading to increased concerns about mental-health, crime-and-justice, accidents, general-news, and politics.
