Lack of tourists, strict movement restrictions and rising insecurity have crippled the West Bank economy. Bethlehem is particularly hard hit and so Embrace is funding a new project to create much-needed employment opportunities and support local businesses and services.

"The lives of the Palestinians, especially in Gaza, are not collateral damage; they are human beings, enduring unspeakable violence…” words from our Christian partners in Gaza and the West Bank reveal the crushing grief felt after a year of violence, fear, loss and death. But they continue to live out their faith.

Against a backdrop of prolonged and escalating conflict in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon, it is hard not to feel overwhelmed by the violence and suffering. As the conflict and violence persists, how can we continue to trust in God? How can we be steadfast in prayer, even when circumstances appear hopeless? 

Our partner MERATH has already been supporting families displaced by the Israel-Hezbollah conflict for many months. Claudette, one of their volunteers, told us what they’d been doing and how the escalation in the violence has made what was an already extremely difficult situation, a critical one.

"Most Lebanese did not sleep last night, their rest shattered by the relentless roar of jets and the deafening..." Staff from our partner Thimar/LSESD sent us this update following the IDF's strikes on Beirut.

Thousands of people in Lebanon have been displaced by the escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Many have had to leave without time to pack essentials and are seeking shelter wherever they can. Staff at our partner Thimar tells us what they are doing to respond to this crisis and of some of the harrowing personal stories they are hearing.

2024 has been an extraordinarily difficult year so far for all our partners in the West Bank as tensions, restrictions and violence continue to increase. The Jerusalem Princess Basmas Centre (JBPC) provides specialist disability support to children across the West Bank. The team recently gave us an update on what the year has been like for them so far.

Embrace has had the privilege of partnering with the Al-Kafaàt Foundation since its foundation in the 1960s. Serving through many years of civil war and, more recently, economic and political crisis, theirs is an incredible story of dedication, vision and faith.

St Porphyrius, the first Bishop of Gaza, founded the church in Gaza City that still bears his name. The stories recorded of this life are strikingly similar to those of Christians in Gaza today.