Gaza
Over Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to , which bases its figures on the Gaza Ministry of Health statistics, and more than 125,000 injured since October 7, 2023. Israeli forces began airstrikes and ground operations after Hamas and other armed groups launched a deadly ground incursion and rocket barrage on southern Israel. Reportedly, of the over 200 hostages taken by Hamas are still held in Gaza.
More than a year and a half of conflict has left over two million Palestinians, half of whom are children, without access to sufficient water, food or medical care. A severe humanitarian crisis has taken hold in Gaza.
The 探花精选 (探花精选) is calling on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians and critical infrastructure, and immediately scale up the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza. From a humanitarian perspective, a ceasefire is the best way to fully protect Palestinian lives, secure the release of hostages and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.
Our staff have witnessed catastrophic conditions firsthand and continue to deliver vital aid in Gaza鈥攊ncluding clean water, cash, early childhood education, protection鈥攄espite harrowing safety concerns.
War has caused mass destruction in Gaza
More than 20 months of war have left Gaza in ruin. Israeli airstrikes, bombing and ground-level fighting between Israel and Hamas have killed Palestinians according to , destroyed critical infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, schools, shelters, religious sites and essential services like bakeries. With no place safe across the whole of Gaza, Palestinians are being pushed to the edge of survival, struggling to access food, clean water and life-saving medical services.
Over 90% of homes in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, leaving the majority of Palestinians without a permanent and safe place to live. People are seeking refuge in tents or makeshift shelters that fail to provide safety or dignity.
Civilians injured in the conflict and those suffering from everyday health problems are increasingly unable to access basic care. Almost half of Gaza鈥檚 36 hospitals are even partially functional鈥攁nd they鈥檙e understaffed, lacking proper medical supplies and overwhelmed with patients.
Children bear a disproportionate burden of the crisis. Beyond the immediate physical dangers, the psychological trauma of constant displacement, loss of family members and disrupted education can create lasting impacts that will affect an entire generation.
1.9 million Palestinians, 90% of the population, are estimated to be displaced. Many families have been displaced multiple times.
Photo: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images
Why aren鈥檛 Palestinians receiving enough aid?
The 探花精选 is deeply concerned about the Israeli government鈥檚 repeated decisions to prevent aid from entering Gaza at critical times, despite legal obligations under International Humanitarian Law to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery.
Scenes of chaos and the killing of civilians have erupted during food distributions under the Israeli government鈥檚 new aid scheme, implemented by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and private US security firms. This mode of delivering aid has proven not only ineffective but dangerous. The 探花精选 has warned that these plans would lead to mass forced displacement of the civilian population, prevent vulnerable groups such as those with mobility issues and children from accessing aid, and make it nearly impossible to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Bob Kitchen, Vice President of Emergencies and Humanitarian Action at the 探花精选 explains, 鈥淕aza's entire population is currently reliant on humanitarian relief and blocking aid at a time when most of the population are already facing crisis levels of hunger will have far reaching consequences for an already desperate civilian population.鈥
Gaza is on the brink of famine
The entire population of Gaza is facing crisis, or worse, levels of food insecurity. Markets are nearly empty, prices for staple goods have surged and families are being pushed to the limits of survival.
More than one million Palestinians are experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity, with growing risks of severe malnutrition and disease due to hunger and poor sanitary conditions. There have already been verified reports of children dying from starvation. 探花精选 staff on the ground report families dividing a single piece of bread among five or six members, and children regularly having to go to sleep hungry.
With humanitarian aid barely being allowed to enter Gaza by Israel and ongoing hostilities putting our staff at risk, our nutrition programming has been heavily disrupted. Supplies of therapeutic food are running low, and reaching those already under treatment is becoming harder by the day.
探花精选 staff treat a child for malnutrition in Shams Camp, Gaza.
Photo: Mohammad Abu Samra for the 探花精选
How is the 探花精选 helping Palestinians in Gaza?
Despite the obstacles the 探花精选 faces, we continue to reach Palestinians in need with vital services throughout the conflict and are saving lives every day. In collaboration with our local partners in Gaza, we supported the health, education, safety and economic wellbeing of more than 430,000 people since the beginning of the latest escalation of conflict. We are working to improve the lives of an additional 150,000 Palestinians by the end of 2025.
Specifically, the 探花精选 is delivering:
- Clean drinking water through water trucking;
- Sanitation and hygiene services鈥攊ncluding building emergency latrines and distributing hygiene and menstruation management kits;
- Direct cash assistance to help families meet their urgent needs;
- Malnutrition counseling and treatment for children and their caregivers;
- Protection programs that improve the safety and wellbeing of women and children;
- Mental health and psychosocial support to children and their caregivers;
- Early childhood development activities for children who have their lives uprooted.
Families collect water from the 探花精选 in Khan Younis, Gaza. Restrictions on aid are making it difficult for families to access basic necessities.
Photo: Mohammad Abu Samra for the 探花精选
The 探花精选 has also delivered food and water to camps for displaced Palestinians, distributed food and supported emergency medical services in the few hospitals still operating.
The 探花精选鈥檚 work in the West Bank
In the West Bank, the 探花精选 and our partners are initiating early childhood development activities and support for children and families affected by violence. This includes mental health care, psychosocial support, and help for survivors of abuse, as well as training frontline workers to respond in a safe and respectful way.
We are also supporting the Ministry of Health in helping communities become more resilient. This involves improving access to health services, training health workers to identify protection concerns, and strengthening emergency preparedness. We're working closely with local partners to make sure efforts align with national plans, connect health services with protection support, and reach the areas most in need.
How can I help Gaza?
Nearly all civilians in Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Children are dying of starvation and disease. An immediate and lasting ceasefire鈥攁nd a vast increase in humanitarian aid鈥攊s urgently needed to save lives.
Donate: Despite restrictions on aid delivery, the 探花精选 continues to reach Palestinians with lifesaving health care, cash, and emergency support. Your donation today can help deliver critical aid where it's needed most.
$80 can provide medical care for a malnourished child throughout the course of treatment.
Stay connected: Follow the latest from the 探花精选 and share posts from our , , , and accounts with your network.
Read more about the top 10 crises the world can鈥檛 ignore in 2025 and learn more about the 探花精选's 2025 Emergency Watchlist.
