Israel’s deadly overnight attacks on Gaza are an appalling escalation that have mostly killed civilians and must be unequivocally condemned by international governments, especially Israel’s allies. Global leaders must urgently step up pressure and demand a reinstatement of the ceasefire agreement.
For the past 10 days Israel has blocked all entry of food, fuel, medicine and other vital supplies for civilians, and is now shutting off electricity – yet another cruel act of collective punishment and a flagrant violation of international law.
Israel’s decision to once again prevent all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza is a cruel and illegal act that will push Gaza back towards famine during the holy month of Ramadan, with fatal consequences for young children.
At least 111,700 Palestinians were injured between 7 October 2023 and 19 February 2025, with many finding their lives permanently changed. Islamic Relief is providing emergency medical aid and mental health support, with a view to rebuilding treatment centres for those with special needs and disabilities as soon as we can.
The scale of loss and destruction in Gaza is indescribable. For almost 500 days, Israel carried out atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza, used starvation and denial of humanitarian aid as weapons of war, and sought to destroy every part of the enclave’s infrastructure and social fabric – schools, hospitals, homes, power, water.
Over the past 15 months, children in Gaza have been trapped in a nightmare. They have been bombed, starved and forcibly displaced. They’ve seen their friends and relatives killed, and their homes and schools reduced to rubble.
More than 2 months after the change of government in Syria, the humanitarian situation remains critical with widespread displacement, heavily damaged infrastructure and nearly 15 million people in need of humanitarian support.
News of an agreement between Hamas and Israel is a rare moment of hope after more than 15 months of unprecedented and relentless atrocities – but the big test will be what happens next, whether it is adhered to, and whether a temporary pause becomes permanent.
A ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid is the only way to stop more babies in Gaza dying during the cold winter, Islamic Relief says, as yet another young infant froze to death in their tent in the past 24 hours as a result of Israel's ongoing onslaught and siege.
