As the fragile ceasefire continues to hold in Gaza, many thousands of Palestinians have begun to return home, dreaming of the time in which they can begin rebuilding their shattered lives and communities. For many, following nearly 500 days of relentless bombardment by the Israeli army, all that remains is rubble and memories of their former lives.  

Much of Gaza is in ruins. Some 69 per cent of buildings have been flattened or damaged. 1.6 million Palestinians are living in makeshift shelters. Everybody is grieving. The vast majority of people have no income nor means to earn a living. 

Islamic Relief has been a lifeline in Gaza for nearly 30 years 

Islamic Relief teams and local partners have remained within Gaza throughout Israel’s assault on Gaza. Throughout the past 500 days, our focus has been on providing emergency relief wherever possible, as we have done during all escalations since we began working in Gaza in 1997. Now, with the temporary ceasefire fragile but continuing to hold, we continue to pray for lasting peace whilst preparing to support Palestinians to rebuild their shattered lives and communities. 

The needs in Gaza today are huge and complex. 

Our immediate priority is continuing to reach those that are most vulnerable to prevent further deaths. We will step up our emergency response efforts to increase protection for those most affected, and, when the time comes, support with repairing, rebuilding, and strengthening vital services, facilities and infrastructure.  

As soon as we can, we hope to help get children back to school, get hospitals and specialist care centres back up and running, and implement other longer-term development programs that empower communities to rebuild self-reliance in a sustainable manner. We will also continue to campaign for an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, so there can be lasting peace.  

Still We Stand With Gaza Report

After almost 500 days of atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza, the scale of loss and destruction is indescribable.

The temporary ceasefire offers some hope, but Gaza has been razed to the ground and its people continue to suffer greatly.

Here’s how Islamic Relief continues to help Gaza before and after the ceasefire, in our “Still We Stand With Gaza” report.

Read it now

Trusted by Palestinian communities, we have a proven track record  

Islamic Relief’s track record of delivering high-quality humanitarian and development interventions in Gaza spans nearly 30 years. Over the last 500 days, our teams and partners have consistently been among the first to respond to emergencies with lifesaving aid. The bonds of trust between our teams and the people we serve underpin our plan to help meet the urgent needs of Palestinians pushed to the brink of survival.  

Palestinians have suffered 500 days of massacre and misery. At least 48,000 people have been killed, including more than 15,000 children. Palestinians urgently need help to survive, to rebuild and to recover. Your support has never been more important.