Churches urge more aid for Gaza, echoing calls from Canada, UK, and France

Leaders from the Anglican and Lutheran Churches in Canada are strongly urging for more life-saving aid to reach people in Gaza, highlighting a desperate need for food, water, and fuel.  Their call comes as other major countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and France, have also spoken out, demanding that more help get into the area.

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, the Most Reverend Anne Germond of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Reverend Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, shared their serious concerns about the situation in Gaza. 

They explained that attacks and blockades have made it very difficult for aid to get through for over two months. This has led to a severe lack of food, with warnings from the United Nations about children suffering from extreme hunger. News reports from Gaza say that starvation is no longer just a threat but a harsh reality, with dozens of people, including many children, having died from hunger.

The church leaders also spoke out against any plans to force people to leave Gaza, saying such actions break international laws. They asked Canada to stop sending weapons to the region and to push for a lasting ceasefire and the release of all people held captive. Their message for peace comes from their close connections with churches in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

Their pleas are similar to a recent strong statement made by the leaders of Canada, the UK, and France. These countries also expressed deep worry about the growing military actions in Gaza and the lack of humanitarian aid. 

They said that even though some aid has recently been allowed in, it's "wholly inadequate" and that the suffering of people in Gaza is "intolerable." The three countries have warned that they might take "concrete actions," like sanctions, if the situation doesn't improve and aid restrictions are not lifted.

Both the Canadian church leaders and the joint statement from Canada, the UK, and France are emphasizing the urgent need for a steady flow of humanitarian aid and a path towards lasting peace in the region.

(see letter from churches: https://www.anglicanlutheran.ca/statements/churches-call-for-open-flow-of-humanitarian-aid-to-gaza/)