Jerusalem: Amidst a rapidly deteriorating Middle Eastern crisis, Caritas Jerusalem remains a vital lifeline, tirelessly delivering emergency medical aid in Gaza and crucial food assistance in the West Bank. Despite the immediate aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on Israel, the Catholic humanitarian organization, led by its director Anton Asfar, quickly resumed operations, underscoring the overwhelming and immediate needs on the ground.
Following the initial Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday, June 13, Caritas Jerusalem briefly paused its activities to assess the heightened risks. However, confronted by "immense needs," Asfar swiftly organized the resumption of their life-saving work the very next day. "We are on the front lines to provide aid to the population," he affirmed, "and as a major organization and the social arm of the Church, we had to continue our work."
In the besieged Gaza Strip, Caritas Jerusalem has deployed 122 dedicated team members across ten medical units to provide emergency care. These courageous individuals operate under constant bombardment, amidst daily fatalities, particularly in the northern regions.
"The situation is catastrophic," stated Asfar, detailing an acute scarcity of medicines, food, and even potable water. While the organization managed to bring in vital medical supplies during a recent ceasefire, these provisions are now rapidly depleting. Though sometimes receiving aid from the World Health Organization and other partners, the scale of the crisis far outstrips available resources.
Asfar painted a harrowing picture of daily life in Gaza: barefoot children foraging for scraps in garbage, infectious diseases spreading rapidly due to mosquito infestations, and even food distributions turning into "bloodbaths." The Catholic Holy Family Parish in Gaza is also suffering a "slow and progressive asphyxiation" as bombings relentlessly continue. Caritas Jerusalem remains in close, albeit often difficult, contact with Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, who recently had to climb onto his church roof to get a cell signal. Operating in Gaza, which Asfar described as a "true lawless zone," is a constant source of anxiety for the Caritas director, who prioritizes the safety of his teams while refusing to abandon their mission.
The alarm bells are also ringing loudly for the West Bank. Following a recent visit to the northern areas, Asfar observed significant changes on the ground, including the proliferation of new walls and settlements. He cited the village of Sinjil, just 50 kilometers north of Jerusalem, now encircled by formidable, multi-meter-high barbed wire fences.
"The West Bank is paralyzed," Asfar reported, lamenting the severe restrictions on freedom of movement. He noted an astonishing 900 checkpoints or barriers strewn across the West Bank, effectively strangling daily life. Agriculture, education, and the entire economy are severely impacted by these restrictions, compounding an already difficult environment. The cessation of pilgrimages to the Holy Land has brought many cities, like Bethlehem, to a standstill, further deepening the economic woes. Caritas Jerusalem estimates that nearly 200,000 workers are now unemployed in the West Bank. In response, the organization is striving to stimulate the local economy by distributing seeds for agricultural initiatives and offering micro-grants for various entrepreneurial projects, such as sewing or cooking.
Beyond economic aid, Caritas Jerusalem is actively supporting the 40,000 internally displaced people living in camps such as Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarem. "These internally displaced people have nothing," Asfar emphasized, detailing their urgent need for food, hygiene kits, and dignity kits. Plans are also underway to launch medical days and psychosocial support programs in the northern West Bank.
Despite the monumental challenges, Asfar and his team refuse to yield, appealing for urgent international efforts to bring an end to the war. He concluded by stating his profound reliance on faith to sustain hope for a better tomorrow, asserting, "We are trying to replant hope within the community so that it becomes more resilient," a mission buoyed by global partner support.
The extensive efforts of Caritas Jerusalem highlight the profound and multifaceted humanitarian crisis in both Gaza and the West Bank.