The Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has issued a strong condemnation of what it calls “atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza by the State of Israel".
The WCC denounced the “extremist policies” of the current Israeli government, while recognising these are “not supported by many Israelis”.
Since the war’s outbreak in October 2023, following attacks by Hamas in southern Israel, the level of destruction in Gaza has reached what the WCC described as “unspeakable levels”.
The Committee highlighted the “deliberate targeting of civilians, widespread destruction of hospitals and other essential infrastructure, and the total blockade of humanitarian aid since 2 March 2025” as violations of international law.
“These actions sabotage all efforts to come to a solution for ending the occupation and bringing back Israeli hostages,” WWC's statement read.
Such acts, the WCC said, “undoubtedly constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity".
The WCC claimed that the present catastrophe is not isolated to recent events but rooted in “decades of occupation, dispossession, and impunity".
It denounced “the now openly-stated intention to re-occupy Gaza and permanently displace the Palestinian population”, warning that such a policy amounts to “ethnic cleansing” and must be rejected by any state committed to international law.
The group also criticised the “complicity, whether active or passive, of other states that they believe have enabled Israel’s actions through their silence or support".
Reaffirming its commitment to justice, the WCC called on all governments to respect the International Court of Justice's rulings and support the International Criminal Court’s pursuit of accountability.
They called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, an end to the blockade of Gaza, and for coordinated international action to halt the destruction and hold perpetrators to account.
“The churches of the world cannot remain silent in the face of such appalling inhumanity,” the statement concluded.