Since an unprecedented escalation began in early October, Gaza has endured relentless bombing by Israel. Tightening its blockade of the enclave, Israel has caused severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and electricity, with reports of doctors forced to operate by the light of mobile phones and families resorting to eating grass. Gaza is now on the verge of famine, with 1 in 10 young children acutely malnourished. More than 75% of the population has become displaced, with some families forced to move several times in search of safety. Over 60% of homes have been damaged or destroyed, hospitals are being attacked and most areas are littered with unexploded ordnance.
In Rafah, near the border with Egypt, more than 1 million people are living in fear of an expected Israeli assault. The area is crammed with families who fled there following orders to evacuate northern Gaza. There is nowhere safe for them to flee to now and the situation is desperate. The Gaza Health Ministry states more than 29,000 people – mostly women and children – have been killed in Gaza and more than 69,000 have been injured. The Israeli government says that around 1,200 have been killed in Israel since the crisis began.

However, this didn't begin in October. Since 1948, Decades of conflict have left millions of Palestinians without homes, jobs, land, or sustenance. The scale of devastation in Palestine is heartbreaking to see. Across the Palestinian Territories, families are struggling to meet their daily needs as they are left facing roadblocks, water shortages, and military incursions. In Gaza in particular, the lack of essential infrastructure left destroyed by conflict means that schools and hospitals struggling to provide services.

Islamic Relief strongly condemns all violence and is calling for an immediate ceasefire, an end to Israel’s siege, and for international law to be upheld. All parties have a duty to protect civilians from harm, avoid targeting civilian infrastructure, and ensure that civilians have access to basic necessities such as water, food, and power. That duty is clearly not being met. We have been providing humanitarian relief in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 1997, serving as a lifeline for communities struggling with the devastating effects of the occupation and recurring conflict. Our team and local partners in Gaza are facing huge challenges, but continue to deliver vital aid. We have been delivering medical supplies to hospitals and providing life-saving support to families in need, including ready-to-eat meals, hygiene kits, and counseling for children. With your support, Islamic Relief will remain a lifeline for Palestinian families.