Latest report shows desperate conditions in Gaza and West Bank

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), alongside dozens of international aid and development agencies, released its latest Humanitarian Access Snapshot, covering the period from January 19 to April 15, 2025. The report offers a sobering update on the continued restrictions on humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank amidst ongoing conflict and military operations.

The snapshot documents the deeply concerning deterioration of conditions for civilians, particularly in Gaza, where access to life-saving aid remains severely limited. During this reporting period, United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners faced extraordinary barriers to delivering food, medical supplies, and other critical assistance. Since October 7, 2023, over 2.2 million people in Gaza-more than 90% of the population-have faced extreme deprivation due to military bombardments, displacement, and a devastating blockade on aid.

"Humanitarian access is not a political issue-it's a moral and legal obligation," said Rev Dr Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of CMEP. "The international community must demand unfettered access to all those in need, uphold international humanitarian law, and prioritize the protection of civilians."

Among the report's key findings:

More than 1.1 million people in Gaza face catastrophic food insecurity, with famine-like conditions spreading in the north.

Humanitarian aid convoys continue to be denied or delayed, especially in areas deemed "inaccessible" by the Israeli military.

Settler violence in the West Bank has escalated, often targeting aid workers and compounding the suffering of displaced Palestinian communities.

Access constraints have led to the breakdown of health services, water infrastructure, and shelter provision, deepening the humanitarian crisis.

As a coalition of 36 national church denominations and organizations, CMEP remains steadfast in its advocacy for a just peace in the Holy Land and an end to the violence and occupation that fuel such humanitarian catastrophes.

Read the full report HERE