Since October 2023, Gaza has endured unprecedented
devastation. More than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed and
over 171,000 injured, following over two years of bombardment
and a prolonged total blockade. Despite a ceasefire agreement,
airstrikes have continued almost daily, and humanitarian access
remains severely restricted.
The impact on civilians is catastrophic. Famine has been declared in Gaza City, with
77% of people suffering severe hunger. Around 246,000 children need treatment for
malnutrition, and more than 31,000 children under the age of five need treatment for
severe malnutrition. Many families are surviving on just one meal every two to three
days.
Aid delivery continues to be obstructed. In December 2025, only 59% of UN-led
missions were facilitated by Israeli authorities, with the rest denied or impeded in
some way. Not a single hospital in Gaza is fully functional, and more than 18,500
critical patients, including 4,000 children, require medical evacuations for urgent care.

1. As winter sets in, 1.28 million people require emergency shelter assistance, with
   flooding and cold temperatures threatening further loss of life. Despite these
   challenges, Islamic Relief teams and local partners remain in Gaza, providing
   emergency food, clean water, healthcare and psychosocial support wherever access
   allows.
   Help families in GAZA
   • R2,500 feeds a family for two weeks
   • R4,150 provides a cash grant for a household to purchase essentials for one month
   • R12,500 provides specialised nutrition for twenty malnourished people