Since an unprecedented escalation began in early October, Gaza has endured relentless bombing by Israel.

Tightening its blockade of the enclave, Israel has caused severe shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity, with reports of doctors forced to operate by the light of mobile phones and families resorting to eating grass.

Gaza is now on the verge of famine, with 1 in 10 young children now acutely malnourished.

More than 75% of the population have become displaced, with some families forced to move several times in search of safety.

Over 60% of homes have been damaged or destroyed, hospitals are being attacked and most areas are littered with unexploded ordnance.

In Rafah, near the border with Egypt, more than 1 million people are living in fear of an expected Israeli assault. The area is crammed with families who fled there following orders to evacuate northern Gaza. There is nowhere safe for them to flee to now and the situation is desperate.

The Gaza Health Ministry states more than 29,000 people – mostly women and children – have been killed in Gaza and more than 69,000 have been injured. The Israeli government says that around 1,200 have been killed in Israel since the crisis began.

Islamic Relief strongly condemns all violence and is calling for an immediate ceasefire, an end to Israel’s siege and for international law to be upheld.