Overnight, simmering tensions in the Middle East appear to have tipped into an unprecedented escalation, sparking fears that the situation may deteriorate in the coming hours and days.

At least 11,000 Palestinians, including 4,506 children have been killed and over 27,000 have been injured and as the violence continues, civilian deaths will continue.

In the Gaza Strip, the airstrikes are thought to have forced 50,000 people to flee their homes. Seeking shelter in dozens of schools, they urgently need food and other basic survival items.

The situation in Palestine is unbearable for many. Gaza has been described as an “open-air prison”. Conditions in Gaza were dire even before the recent escalations in conflict, with occupation, blockade and recurring conflict causing deep poverty and suffering. 80% of the population are dependent on humanitarian assistance to survive.

Why donate to the Palestine emergency through Islamic Relief?

Islamic Relief has been on the ground in Palestine since 1997. We have a long history of providing development programmes as well as emergency aid. At the moment a 'total siege' has been announces on Gaza, preventing food, medicine, fuel or other vital supplies from entering.

Islamic Relief already have supplies in place for distributions within Gaza, which is put in place through our Disaster Preparedness Plan. However, as humanitarian doors and gates are closed, the supplies are limited. We are therefore working to procure further supplies locally in order to deliver to those in need.

Although our teams in Gaza are in midst of the crisis themselves Alhamdulillah they have been able to:

Distribute over 2 million medical items

Food parcels and packs to over 12,000 households

Fresh Vegetables to over 11,000 families

202,151 hot meals

Non-food items such as blankets

Provided water to 15,504 people

Please keep the people of Palestine and our staff in your duas so that we can continue saving lives in Gaza.

£60 - can provide life-saving essentials

£120 - can provide two families with life-saving food

£200 - can provide emergency medical supplies