A poor crowded land squeezed between the Mediterranean Sea and Israel, the Gaza Strip has the highest population density in the world 1.4 million residents, more than 98 percent of whom are Muslim, jammed into 2,178 square miles. A study by John Hopkins University and Jerusalem’s Al Quds University, commissioned in 2002, found that nearly 20 percent of children under the age of 5 suffered from malnutrition while anemia affected affected more than half of women under 40 and 45 percent of children.

Since the January 2006 legislative elections brought Hamas to power, the situation has become even direr. The European Union and the United States have cut off assistance to the Palestinian Authority, refusing to assist the Hamas-led government until it renounces violence, recognizes Israel’s right to exist and accepts the peace process that began with the 1993 Oslo Accords (until last December, Israel had also withheld tax revenue.) Hamas has refused these conditions, thus plunging the people — more than 60 percent of whom already live below the poverty line — deeper into poverty.

“These are difficult times in Gaza,” said Constantine Dabbagh, executive director of the Near East Council of Churches, which with the support of CNEWA operates three prenatal and postnatal care clinics in Gaza.

Currently, for nearly all specialized care, such as cancer treatment and complex surgery, Palestinians have to seek treatment in Israel or Egypt. But Israel’s border closures, plus the limited finances of most Palestinians — the Palestinian Authority, Gaza’s largest employer, is practically bankrupt — means that such treatment is difficult to come by. Moreover, it I not only high-technology care that is lacking. There is also a shortage of common supplies, including bandages, needles, adrenaline and IVs.

“With the closing of borders, it is hard for us to get all that we need,” said Mr. Dabbagh, who has directed the council for 28 years.

“Fortunately, the clinics anticipated such an emergency and have stockpiled stores of medicine and equipment.

“We are lucky,” he continued. “The situation here in Gaza is bad, but our activities are going well.”

Of the council’s efforts in the Gaza Strip, health care is the most significant, taking up most of the $1 million annual budget. The council also supports vocational training and other education efforts.

The council joins Catholics, Orthodox and Anglicans,” Mr. Dabbagh said. “As Christians in Gaza, which is almost entirely Muslim, it is important to show we are a vital part of the community and people see we are helping.