On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an assault on Israel with both rocket attacks and militants on the ground. The BBC has reported that at least 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and that the Israeli military estimated that 203 soldiers and civilians, including women and children, were taken to Gaza as hostages.

At the time of writing, the news agency Al Jazeera has just reported that 3,478 people have been killed in Gaza so far, with 12,065 injured, and in the occupied West Bank, 69 people have been killed and 1,300 injured. As well as the 1,400 or more killed in Israel, another 3,800 have been injured.

Airstrikes in Gaza have caused widespread destruction of homes, schools, healthcare facilities and telecommunication installations. Hospitals that are already at breaking point are overwhelmed by casualties while hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

We are grieved and deeply concerned at the violence in Israel and Gaza, our hearts go out to those Israeli families whose loved ones have been targeted in the appalling terrorist attacks but also to the innocent victims of retaliatory attacks, who have been caught in the crossfire. The devastating news and images shared and the suffering of all is almost incomprehensible. 

If you have not seen the Archbishop of Canterbury‘s recent poignant message on this, please do read it here. In it he wrote: “Pray for the people of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Pray for the future of the Holy Land. Pray for those who will weep, and fear, and die tonight.”

How to help

If you are looking to help, the Diocese of Guildford recommends the following three agencies that are operating locally in Gaza, providing immediate assistance:

Christian Aid

Christian Aid’s local partners stand ready to respond with medical relief and community-led initiatives such as food, shelter, sanitation and protection. They are actively exploring ways to support Israeli civilians who’ve been directly impacted by the violence.

Donations could make a huge difference to the conditions of those affected and can be made here. 

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) 

MAP’s team on the ground is releasing their entire pre-positioned stock of essential drugs, disposables and essential healthcare supplies from our warehouses to hospitals treating those injured in Israel’s aerial bombardment of Gaza.

More support will be needed as casualties are expected to continue to rise in the coming days, and MAP stands ready to respond.

Palestinians Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) 

PCRF is the primary humanitarian organisation in Palestine, delivering crucial and life-saving medical relief and humanitarian aid where it is needed most.  Access to essential resources like food, clean water, and healthcare is severely limited. Urgent action is needed. With your support, the organisation can continue this vital work, ensuring that the over one million children of Gaza receive the urgent care they need and deserve.

Picture: Wikimedia Commons