We are heartbroken by the recent events in Gaza and southern Israel. Through our contacts on the ground we are doing our best to react quickly to get immediate help to those sheltering in the Christian churches and buildings, largely in Gaza City. 

Friends of the Holy Land is registered as a charity locally and so operate our own bank account in country which allows us to take swift, direct action. The Bethlehem branch of our bank has advised us that their Gaza branch is still operating at the moment so we are able to send vital funds to where they are most needed. Conditions on the ground are constantly changing and it is unclear how long this window to send help will last. To date we have been able to send out $60,000, with confirmation that funds have been received and used to buy provisions immediately. 

Currently there are around 4,000 people sheltering across the Christian churches and building around Gaza city. Those sheltering are Christians, Muslims and people of no faith. The monies we have been able to send so far have helped the Christian committee coordinating the care of so many people to buy water, food, basic medical supplies and other essentials where and when they are available. International Aid is coming into Gaza very slowly and is not reaching Gaza City. We will continue to send funds as long as we can so that there will be enough to feed and support those sheltering for the difficult weeks and perhaps months ahead. 

At the same time, the situation in the West Bank is deteriorating. There are strict travel restrictions which, compounded by fear, have resulted in some intermittent food shortages of staples like flour, sugar and medications or inflated prices for these items if they are available. Those who had permits to travel for work to Israel are no longer allowed to cross the border. Tourism has shut down so once again, those who rely on pilgrims and tourists for their income cannot earn any money. But most of all there is fear. Fear of escalating violence, fear of attacks, fear of demonstrations and indiscriminate arrest and fear of an uncertain future. People mostly stay at home and very few venture out in the evenings, although there is no official curfew. Our team in Bethlehem and the wider West bank are still able to deliver our routine projects and grants to individuals and families, they report that the need is increasing.

We will need your help to prepare for the longer-term impact of this terrible war. Obviously there will be a  need for rebuilding across Gaza, as well as other vital help such as medical treatment and trauma counselling not only in Gaza but in the West Bank and Israel in the aftermath of these dark times. We don’t know today how the challenges for Christians in the Holy Land may evolve, but we stand ready locally to provide relief where we can with your help. 

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We have set up a prayer page dedicated to prayers for peace at this time

To read our blog with updates from the Holy Land and relevant articles click here