Crisis In Gaza Deepens

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you for your continued prayers. We come to you with another update from Gaza. The situation in Gaza has significantly deteriorated over the past week. The new damage, as shown in the picture below, highlights the severity of the recent conflict. The area has been heavily impacted, with the building being burned by the IDF during an intense confrontation last week.

Currently, there is a substantial presence of IDF soldiers not far from the Baptist church, posing a constant threat of return. The conditions outside the church are catastrophic, with widespread destruction and limited access to resources.

Within the church, the situation is dire. The community is only able to provide one meal every 48 hours due to the scarcity of food. The market is depleted, with only canned food available, and the bakeries, though operational, are unable to meet the demand, resulting in long queues and insufficient bread. Financial resources are also dwindling, leaving many without enough cash to purchase essential supplies.

In addition to the food shortage, there are long lines to access water. People are so fatigued that their movements and speech resemble those of someone who is almost drunk. Everyone is visibly exhausted, struggling to cope with the dire circumstances.

Outside the churches, the situation is even more troubling. Our old neighbor in Gaza shared that he has placed each of his children and their families in different areas to ensure that if something happens, not all of them will be affected, and they can help each other if needed.

There is a looming threat that the IDF may return to the north of Gaza, potentially forcing evacuations to the south, which would include the churches. The community remains in a state of constant uncertainty and distress. Your prayers and support are urgently needed in these challenging times, for an end to this war and for the safe return of the hostages to their families.

As always, we love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.

Blessings,

Pastor Hanna Massad

Founder & President