Terrorist group Hamas, based in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, launched a brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, firing at least 2,200 rockets into the country and killing hundreds—the latest chapter in a war that has carried on for decades.
In the weeks following, the terrorists took the lives of hundreds of innocent Israeli hostages, including children and elderly people, and brutally livestreamed the murders. In return, the Israel Defense Forces declared a state of war and have since been retaliating with airstrikes in Gaza, targeting Hamas members—yet killing with them thousands and thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians.
The IDF soon cut off all water and electricity in Gaza, a restriction that still stands months into the conflict, displacing more than 263,000 people internally in the Gaza Strip, per the United Nations. The Palestinian population now finds itself in a state of famine, with thousands left to eat animal feed or starve to death.
On October 17, 2023, an explosion at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the middle of Gaza killed at least 500 people, per the Gaza Health Ministry. The hospital served as a shelter for thousands of residents who had fled their homes due to the conflict. Both Israel and Hamas denied responsibility for the attack.
Israel remains an ally of the United States, though the relationship between the countries is more strained than ever.
Meanwhile, despite the world’s moves to help the needy in Gaza, Israel has continued to prevent aid from entering the territory. On April 2, 2024, the IDF killed a group of seven unarmed humanitarian workers from the World Central Kitchen while they were on their way to deliver food to a dying population. The trip had been planned and approved by Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack a “mistake.” World Central Kitchen has now paused its aid efforts.
“It happens in war,” Netanyahu said of the deadly attack. “We are in contact with the governments, and we will do everything so that this thing does not happen again.”
On May 28, Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Rafah, along the Gaza-Egypt border, where hundreds of displaced Palestinians have been seeking refuge. Israeli shelling and airstrikes in the territory killed at least 37 people overnight—in the same area where strikes on May 26 triggered a fire in a camp, killing 45 already displaced people—officials said. Israeli leaders say their forces must enter Rafah to capture Hamas leaders and rescue hostages taken by the terrorist group in October.
On July 31, the Israeli Government Press Office said that Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s political leader, had been “killed in a precise strike in Tehran, Iran.”
Despite ceasefire requests from innocent victims on both sides of the war, the death toll continues to rise and now exceeds 1,400 in Israel and 39,400 in Gaza, per the Gaza health ministry. Another 90,996 people have been reported injured in Gaza, and thousands are still missing on both sides.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has gone on for centuries, killed millions of innocent people and families, and wreaked religious, political, and economic havoc among both populations.
Below, a list of organizations calling for peace and helping the victims of this war.
The International Red Cross provides assistance during times of crisis, and has pled for an end to the violence between Israel and Palestine. “In our role as a neutral intermediary, we are ready to visit anyone detained so we can check on their well-being and provide news to their loved ones,” the group says. Help here.
AFMDA is helping those injured in Israel. Donate here.
Anera, a nonprofit with no political or religious affiliation, is on the ground providing humanitarian aid in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. “Our staff serve in their communities, navigating the politics that constrict progress to get help where it’s needed most,” the group says. Help save lives here.
ALLMEP (the Alliance for Middle East Peace) is the largest network of Palestinian and Israeli peace builders. Donate here.
The Carter Center has been promoting peace in Israel and Palestine since the 1990s. “Through election observation, conflict resolution, and human rights work in the occupied Palestinian territory, the Carter Center has developed strong relations among key Israeli and Palestinian political leaders, electoral officials, civil society leaders, and human rights practitioners,” the organization says. Donate to the cause here.
The United Nations remains a neutral organization aiming to help broker peace between the two populations. Donate here.
The International Rescue Committee is assessing needs on the ground and the organization’s capacity to ensure critical, life-saving humanitarian relief reaches affected civilian populations. Donate here.
Support Kfar Aza is collecting money to help rebuild the community of Kibbutz Kfar Azza near Gaza. Help here.
Standing Together, Israel’s largest grassroots Arab-Jewish movement, continues to do important peacekeeping work between the communities. “We’re building a new majority: the People’s Left—Jewish and Arab, Religious and Secular, Ashkenazi and Mizrachi—to fight for equality, peace, and climate justice,” the group says. Donate to the cause here.
Global health and humanitarian organization Project HOPE has emergency response personnel working with local authorities, UN agencies, and civil society to coordinate the delivery of aid for both Israel and Gaza. The organization is operating primary health clinics in Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis. Local health care workers staff the clinics and provide free health care to displaced communities. They are currently delivering aid to Gaza via Jordan. Donate to their cause here.
Mercy Corps has worked in Palestine for three decades, providing humanitarian assistance—like access to water and monetary aid— and connecting people to economic opportunities in an area where unemployment is over 40 percent. They have an active presence in the territory now and will continue to provide aid to those in need. Help here.
Americares is responding to the urgent need for medicines and medical supplies in Israel and Gaza. Donate here.
JGive offers financial support to Israeli victims and their families. Donate here.
Israel Democracy HQ, organized by the protest movement in Israel, provides crucial supplies to both civilians and soldiers in Israel. Help here.
Mercy Chefs, a nonprofit that serves chef-prepared meals in national emergencies and natural disasters, is on the ground assessing needs and identifying kitchen locations for its chefs to work alongside local Israeli chefs. Donate here.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency is accepting donations to help provide emergency food assistance, shelter, and cash assistance to help families in Gaza cover their basic needs. Make yours here.
Oxfam is on the ground in Gaza, working with partners to provide people with essentials like clean water, food, and soap. Donate here.
Catholic Relief Services is helping displaced families affected by the crisis as they seek safety, stability, and the means to rebuild their lives. Among other things, they provide emergency food and living supplies, safe shelter, and psychological counseling and trauma recovery. Donate here.
Doctors Without Borders provides immediate medical aid during humanitarian emergencies. Help its teams save lives here.
International Medical Corps works with local health agencies and partners to provide emergency health services, gender-based violence services, and COVID-19 prevention services. Donate here.
Save the Children is providing resources to affected children. Donate here.
Direct Relief provides medical resources in vulnerable communities worldwide. Help here.
