Simmering tensions in the Middle East appear to have tipped into an unprecedented escalation, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Struggling civilians once more face the horror of major airstrikes, with a rapidly rising death toll and hundreds of thousands of people displaced with nowhere safe to go.

Islamic Relief is appalled by recent reports of deaths and violence, and continues to strongly condemn any and all violence against civilians. We plead with all parties to exercise restraint to avoid further civilian casualties.

At least 11,078 Palestinians have been killed and tens of thousands more injured. This number is expected to increase rapidly as airstrikes continue. Almost half of those that have been killed are children. In the Westbank, at least 145 have been killed and at least 2,100 injured.

In the Gaza Strip, the strikes are thought to have forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. Seeking shelter in dozens of schools, they urgently need food and other basic survival items.

“The situation is extremely terrifying. I am writing these words and my house is shaking back and forth due to the intense bombing...As an adult who have lived tens of escalation in the last years, I feel terrified. I feel this time we might not be able to survive...The airstrikes are destroying everything. I can’t imagine Gaza after this ends and we survive. I can’t think of the destruction that we will see.”

an Islamic Relief aid worker in Gaza.

As conditions rapidly deteriorate amid this latest escalation in hostilities, Islamic Relief remains steadfast in our determination to assist Palestinian families. Working closely with our local partners, we are preparing our humanitarian response, which is likely to initially focus on distributing medical supplies and survival items.

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 occupation, blockade and recurring conflict. As Palestinian families face fresh suffering in Gaza, Islamic Relief is calling on supporters to help us provide much-needed humanitarian aid.

With your support, Islamic Relief will remain a lifeline for Palestinian families. Please give generously to our Palestine Emergency Appeal now.

Why donate to the Palestine emergency through Islamic Relief?

Islamic Relief began working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 1997, providing life-saving emergency aid and crucial nutritional, educational and psychosocial support to families in the region.

Our teams are providing emergency medical assistance, bedding, food vouchers and other essential aid to displaced families and those most in need.

Islamic Relief is calling for international aid to support rebuilding damaged infrastructure, strengthening health and electricity networks and providing psychosocial support.

Islamic Relief strongly condemns all violence against civilians – including the most recent loss of lives. All Palestinians and Israelis, regardless of religion or ethnicity, have the right to live in safety and dignity, and to have their fundamental human rights upheld. We are calling for an immediate end to the escalating violence as any further escalation will inevitably increase civilian casualties. Islamic Relief calls on world leaders to step up efforts to prevent any further escalation of violence, but also to demand an end to the occupation and work towards a just and lasting peace agreement.

How your donations are making a difference to the people of Palestine

Since we have begun working in Palestine, we have been able to:

Supported around six million people.

Delivered programmes worth almost £109 million.

Repaired and restored over 1,500 homes in Gaza.

Provided clean drinking water to over 1 million people in schools and health facilities.

Supported over 300,000 children and sponsored over 15,000 orphans.

Delivered Ramadan and Qurbani food to around 200,000 people a year.

Helped over 2,000 families to earn a reliable living.

This is only possible with your ongoing support. Your generous donations are having a life-saving impact.