The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, in a statement, expressed deep concern over ongoing and widespread Israeli attacks on civilian populations and infrastructure in occupied Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, spilling over into neighboring Syria and beyond. 

 “The toll of these brutal military attacks is appalling,” reads the statement. “They have led to a catastrophic loss of life, with more than 50,000 civilians killed—including children, humanitarian workers, medical personnel, and journalists—and tens of thousands severely injured and traumatized.”

The WCC governing body observed with deep sorrow the ongoing attacks on hospitals, clinics, and ambulances in Gaza and Lebanon, which have decimated essential healthcare services. 

“In addition to the destruction of medical facilities, the statement underlines that denial of humanitarian access, and obstruction of aid violate both international law and the sanctity of life”. “In northern Gaza under siege, an estimated 400,000 people are trapped, denied access to basic necessities such as food, water, fuel, and medical care, which contravenes international humanitarian law and human dignity.”

The statement notes that the severity of acute food insecurity in Gaza has sharply worsened.

"In the worst-affected areas in northern Gaza, a siege has caused the near-total blockade of food supply flows since 1 October 2024,” the statement reads. “For much of northern Gaza, famine is looming."

Reports from UNICEF confirm that countless children bear the physical and emotional scars of conflict, many having been mutilated by explosive weapons, while more than one million children face the risk of starvation.

The statement also addresses the situation in Lebanon and the wider region. “Against the background of the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza, intensified rocket attacks by Hezbollah led to the evacuation of large numbers of Israelis from their homes in northern Israel,” reads the statement. “Since September 2024, Israeli missile strikes in Lebanon have killed over 3,000 people, injured more than 13,000, displaced over 1.2 million, and devastated critical infrastructure and the nation’s fragile economy.”

The WCC called for an immediate ceasefire across Gaza, Lebanon, and the broader region to prevent further loss of life and livelihoods, and to restore compliance with international law.” In further recognition of relevant obligations under international humanitarian law, we demand the elimination of obstacles to humanitarian access and call for the unconditional facilitation of humanitarian aid for those trapped in conflict zones,” the statement reads. “We call for an arms embargo on Israel and to prevent arms transfers to armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah whose actions indicate serious violations of international law, in order to prevent the further escalation of violence and to protect civilians.”

The WCC executive committee is convening in Paralimni, Cyprus, from 21-26 November to focus on planning for 2025, including the budget and implementation of WCC strategies. The thematic focus of the gathering is on peace-building in the context of occupation, war, and conflicts