Monthly Action - June 2025 - Gaza

Take action to end the appalling violence and strengthen democracy and human rights in Gaza.

Gaza conflict

The world is closely watching the conflict between Israel and Iran following the start of pre-emptive strikes by Israel on 12 June, designed to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons. But whilst this new conflict should have our prayers, action and attention (and indeed is the subject of a forthcoming blog from Arise), we should not allow it to distract us from also continuing to focus on the brutal conflict in Gaza.

It is now 20 months since Israeli forces began a massive offensive in Gaza, and the violence is worse than ever. More than 53,000 Gazans have been killed and 120,000 wounded. Over 90% of the population of Gaza have been displaced at some point during the conflict. There has been widespread bombing and rocket attacks by Israel, as well as a ground offensive. The violence has only paused temporarily during short-lived ceasefire agreements, most notably from 15 January – 17 March this year. Food, water, fuel, electricity and all other goods have been blocked for months, resulting in desperate shortages across Gaza. One in five of the population are now facing starvation. Some aid began to flow again last month, after intense international pressure, but it is a drop in the ocean, severely disrupted and not yet reaching those in greatest need.

Like all conflicts it is ordinary people that pay the heaviest price. People like Najwa and her 5-month-old baby Siwar whose story is reported by the BBC. Siwar is suffering from advanced malnutrition. She weighs just 2 kilograms when she should weigh 6. “There was no food when I gave birth to her," says Najwa. “If I wanted to feed myself so I could breastfeed her, I had no nutrients to make my health better. She now only drinks formula milk, and we don't know how we'll be able to provide it for her. The hospital provided with great difficulty some milk for her, they searched all of the hospitals but they could only find it in one. They told me that they will give me one bottle when we leave, but it is barely enough for four days. Her father is blind and he can't provide a bottle of milk for her, and even if we found it, it would be expensive, and he doesn't work.” ^[1]

Action for peace

There has been more than enough suffering. Of course the Israeli offensive in Gaza came in retaliation for the horrific Hamas incursion into Israel in October 2023 in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, 59 of whom are still being held. But it has become grossly disproportionate, inflicting enormous suffering on the civilian population of Gaza. Even Israel’s staunchest allies are now openly and strongly critical, recognising that it is time for an immediate ceasefire; for the release of all hostages; for full humanitarian access; for basic essentials like electricity, fuel, food and water to be allowed in; and for an urgent return to meaningful peace talks. A key Arise blog looks at what the key elements of a peace process might be.

A crucial part of this process must be meeting the legitimate concerns of the Palestinian people, such as ending Israeli settlement in the West Bank; ending the restrictions Israel imposes on goods coming in and out of the occupied territories; ending Israeli restrictions on where ordinary Palestinians can live, build, work and travel; ending the harassment of ordinary Palestinians; and ultimately an end to the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Another crucial element must be the reconvening of a truly democratic representative government for the Palestinian people of Gaza and the West Bank, which recognises the right of Israel to exist and genuinely wants peace and can prevent extremist groups like Hamas conducting violent attacks on Israel, and ultimately shut them down. A truly democratic government is also badly needed in Iran, and is essential for restoring peace and stability to the region. Restraint and a return to peace talks is needed by all sides. As Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5: 9). It is crucial that Iran should cease support for militant groups, not elevate tensions further in the region, and instead pursue peace. It is equally important that Israel should do the same in Gaza, the West Bank, Iran and across the region.

Take Action

Speak out in advocacy
Write to David Lammy, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in your own words, and ask the UK to continue with urgent action to:

Increase diplomatic pressure on all sides in the Middle East for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations on Gaza, and with Iran.
Increase diplomatic pressure for a truly democratic and human rights respecting authority to emerge in both Iran and for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. Ensure that the UK scales up support for pro-democracy and human rights reform movements around the world (including in Iran and Palestine), in the ways that those movements want.

Write to him at:
The Rt Hon David Lammy
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
FCDO
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH

Pray
Pray for peace across the Middle East, for wise heads to prevail and for a de-escalation of tensions. Pray for the people of Gaza, Israel and Iran. Pray for a ceasefire on all sides, the protection of all civilians, release of all hostages, for all those who are injured and have lost loved ones, for humanitarian access to Gaza, for basic essentials like food and water to get in, and for a real peace process to re-start again, even in these darkest days. Pray for democratic and human rights reform in Iran, Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.

Give
Give to Christian organisations like Cafod, Christian Aid, Tearfund or World Vision who have appeals to support the people of Gaza who have been impacted by the fighting.

Practical Action
Reach out to friends and neighbours in your community with roots and family in Iran, Gaza and Israel. How have they and their families been affected? How can you and your church support them?

Find out more

Latest news – Updates on previous campaigns and latest news from the Arise movement.

Join a local Arise group in your church or area – It’s great to take this action as individual Christians, but even better to come together with others to pray, discuss, worship, learn, have fun and take action together. Contact Arise if you are interested.

Arise Manifesto – Find out more about this month’s action in the Arise Manifesto, Arise’s big picture, researched, Biblical, holistic and practical vision for a better world.

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[1] ‘No food when I gave birth’: Malnutrition rises in Gaza as Israeli blockade enters the third month, BBC, (6 May 2025), https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrv5rl73zdo