JENIN, WEST BANK, PALESTINE - 2026/09/03: Palestinian farmers' kid sits next to a destroyed olive trees uprooted by Israeli army bulldozers in the village of Arraba, south of Jenin in the West Bank. The Israeli army claimed that the uprooted trees was for security reasons. Palestinian farmers said the Israeli army uprooted thousands of ancient olive trees and destroyed hundreds of dunams of land in Arraba. (Photo by Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Please pray that families of West Bank children are able to obtain food.
Almighty and merciful God, we lift up the children in the West Bank and all regions facing severe hardship, hunger, and displacement. God of compassion and justice, look with mercy upon the children and youth whose lives and daily needs are overshadowed by conflict and scarcity. Provide daily bread where food is hard to find, and shelter the innocent from fear, cold, and distress. Open the hearts of leaders and nations to rush life-saving aid and practical relief to every community in crisis. Strengthen the aid workers and neighbors laboring faithfully to care for the vulnerable, and grant us resolve to pray, advocate, and work for a world of lasting peace and safety. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Context: Factors Contributing to Food Insecurity in the West Bank of Palestine
According to a report released in September 2026 by Peace Now and Kerem Navot, settlers have directly seized more than 24,700 acres of West Bank land over the past two and a half years.
The Israeli government has enacted massive administrative land grabs. In total, the combined impact of government and settlers has restricted or permanently cut off Palestinians from over 31,000 acres of productive, agricultural, and grazing lands.
Over the last 2-3 years, hundreds of thousands of sheep have been systematically stripped from Palestinian herders through targeted raids and the severe restriction of grazing lands. An average flock of 100 sheep represents roughly $98,600 USD.
Livestock-dependent communities are affected by a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak which causes high mortality in newborn and young animals, abortions in pregnant livestock, significant weight loss, and sharp drops in milk yields.
Work permits for nearly 200,000 Palestinians employed in Israel were revoked after late 2023, depriving the local economy of roughly $400 million monthly.
On 1 September, the World Food Programme (WFP)announced that, due to funding shortfalls, it has reduced its food assistance in the West Bank from 400,000 to 200,000 people for the remainder of 2026. An estimated 900,000 people are food insecure across the West Bank. 360,000 (40%) are children under 18.
Additional Resources
https://healthpolicy-watch.news/food-insecurity-westbank-gaza/
