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CAFOD

Middle East conflict: The crisis in Gaza explained

23 September 2025
Holy Family Church in Gaza

The Holy Family Church in Gaza, which was damaged after being struck by a shell in an attack that killed three people and injured others

The UK government has recognised Palestine as a state. It is an important act of solidarity in a time when the reality for Palestinian families means that the dream of a viable Palestinian state seems more distant than ever.

“Amidst the utter devastation and destruction we’re witnessing in Gaza and settlements in the West Bank increasing exponentially […] the recognition of Palestine by the UK is an important act of solidarity in support of a political path to promoting rights, peace and security for all,” says Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD’s Middle East country representative.

We are now calling for the UK government to ensure that recognising Palestine as a state is accompanied by urgent, concrete action.

How can I respond to the crisis in Gaza?

Despite overwhelming challenges and risk to life, our local partners are clear that, with your support, they can continue to deliver vital support to those in greatest need. 

In September, we heard from our partner Caritas Jerusalem that Israeli military operations in northern Gaza have created grave risks for their staff. For their safety, Caritas Jerusalem have suspended operations at five of their ten medical points. Despite the challenges, Caritas teams remain active in the south, where displaced families are gathering, and continue to deliver urgent, lifesaving healthcare through five medical points.

Pray with us for peace

Pray with us for peace

Join us in prayer by adding your name as a sign of your prayers, which we will share in solidarity with our partners who are responding to this humanitarian crisis.

How are CAFOD and local partners responding?

We work closely with local teams to bring about peace, support those in conflict and push for long-lasting change.

“CAFOD has been working with Palestinian partners in the occupied Palestinian territory and with Israeli organisations working for peace for more than three decades, witnessing firsthand the impact of conflict and occupation on their lives and livelihoods. Alongside an entrenched military occupation and a brutal conflict in Gaza, the total absence of a process towards a more peaceful future with justice and equality for all continues to be a cause of grief and despair for generations of Palestinians,” says Elizabeth Funnell.

Recognising Palestine as a state comes at a crucial time when our local partners are working hard to support families whose land is being taken under the guise of war.

We have local partners documenting the attacks on Palestinians in towns villages and farming communities across the West Bank. Sadly, incidents have become increasingly violent, destroying lives and livelihoods while systematically pushing Palestinian communities off their land.

I once again call for an immediate end to the barbarity of this war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict
POPE LEO XIV
Caritas Jerusalam - Gaza crisis response

A food parcel distribution at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City