Churches for Middle East Peace calls for ceasefire, pleas for humanitarian relief in Gaza

The following statement was issued Thursday, Oct. 19 by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) — of which the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are founding members — regarding the ongoing conflict and violence in Palestine and Israel. Earlier statements made by CMEP between Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 can be found here and on the Global Ministries website. The UCC and Disciples also signed a letter, along with many ecumenical partners, urging Congress to take action on the crisis.

On October 13, Churches for Middle East Peace issued a statement calling on the United States, “Not to Ignore Gazans Dying on the World’s Watch.” This plea is not hyperbolic. A week later, 3,785 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and more than 12,000 wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7. Reports indicate more than one thousand children have already died in this war. 

On Sunday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced on CNN’s State of the Union that “Israel had restored water service to South Gaza.” Today, five days later, most civilians in Gaza still do not have adequate water. 

As of October 18, reports indicate that UNRWA facilities have almost run out of water, with the average ration down to one liter of water per person per day; the minimum per international standards is 15 liters per person per day. Some UNRWA facilities have no water supplies available at all. Estimates indicate the average water consumption for all needs (drinking, cooking, and hygiene) to be three liters per person per day for all people in Gaza. Much of the water consumed is from unsafe sources, which increases the risk of waterborne illnesses, can cause infectious disease outbreaks, and even result in death. Sewage, chemicals, and seawater contaminate the only aquifer in Gaza.  

The White House announced — following President Biden’s October 18 visit to Israel — the promise of $100 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza and support to those who are trying to “get to safety or provide assistance, and [are] facilitating access to food, water, medical, and shelter.” Israel responded that it would not thwart humanitarian aid efforts to provide food, water, and healthcare to civilians in Gaza, but it was committed to ensuring that Hamas does not benefit or receive supplies. President Biden has also proposed an aid package that would include billions in military aid to Israel.

Earlier in the week, extensive negotiations, including Secretary Blinken, the Egyptians, and Israel, reported that an agreement had been reached and that the Rafah border would be opened for humanitarian access and distribution, although the timing was unclear. The current agreement for humanitarian access promised only includes 20 trucks initially to “see how it goes” to ensure aid is not redirected toward Hamas. Before the war, hundreds of trucks entered Gaza daily during the 16-year blockade to bring in necessary food and medical aid for UNRWA refugees to prevent malnutrition and promote basic levels of health and wellness. The 20 trucks won’t begin touching the catastrophic humanitarian need. 

In addition, since the deal was struck between Israel, the U.S., and Egypt, on the morning of October 19, more bombings occurred at the Rafah border with Egypt and in the Southern Gazan city of Khan Younis. There are no safe zones in Gaza. No humanitarian access has been allowed into the enclave since the beginning of the war, 13 days ago. In addition, while the President was meeting with Israeli officials and agreeing to a humanitarian aid package, the United States vetoed a draft resolution presented by the United Nations Security Council presented by Brazil proposing “humanitarian pauses” in the bombing to allow for access for humanitarian workers and safe deliveries of aid.  

While the United Nations reports the convoy includes ready-to-eat food, development experts on the ground in Gaza have communicated to CMEP concerns that at least some of the food in the trucks waiting in convoy in Egypt would need to be cooked, requiring water, gas, and/or electricity to which displaced people in Gaza do not have access. The head of a major development agency in Gaza reports, “To even touch the growing devastation of the humanitarian crisis, food, and humanitarian relief would have to include cooking gas, diesel fuel to run water for generators for water wells, diesel and gasoline for ambulances and emergency services, medical and hospital supplies, and industrial diesel for the power plant.” Water is not getting to people in Southern Gaza because there is no electricity to pump water through the system and because there is so much damage to pipelines because of extensive bombing. 

CMEP continues to call on the United States government not to ignore the growing catastrophic humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza. All efforts must be made for this war to be brought to an end. We call for actions to be taken to secure the immediate release of the hostages and ensure international protection for all civilians. We call for an immediate ceasefire and that the root causes of suffering be addressed. We urge the President and Congress to publicly call for de-escalation and restraint by all sides. We call on all parties to abide by the laws of war, including the Geneva Conventions and customary international law, and for the collective punishment imposed upon the civilians in Gaza to be brought to an end. Atrocities against civilians are never justified.

Updates on the conflict in Palestine and Israel are being posted on the Global Ministries website, including statements from member and partner organizations in the United States and internationally. Global Ministries has launched an action alert inviting people to call for a ceasefire and for allowing humanitarian aid and safe spaces for Gazan non-combatants.

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