Emergency Appeal for Gaza

Thank you for supporting our emergency appeal for Gaza. Please find an update below.

“It is unbelievable. It is like the first days of the war all over again.” Suheila Tarazi, Director, Al Ahli Hospital.

Fresh attacks shatter ceasefire

In the early hours of Tuesday 18th March, Israel launched fresh bombing raids on Gaza, tearing up what was left of the ceasefire agreement. These raids killed over 404 people (including 100 children), injured hundreds more and terrified the entire community, since then the people of Gaza have suffered attacks night and day. 

Al Ahli Hospital 

Many of those killed or injured in the most recent attacks were being  taken to our partner, Al Ahli 'Baptist' Hospitall, one of the only operational trauma hospitals in Gaza City. The hospital had been longing to shift away from constant emergency care and resume its regular programmes — reconstructive and standard surgeries, diagnostic testing and cancer treatments, physiotherapy, burns treatments and infant health and nutrition services — yet the need for emergency care remains overwhelming. Sadly in the early hours of  Sunday 13th Israel launched a devastating attack  Al Ahli Arab ‘Baptist’ Hospital. 

Israel gave the hospital 20 minutes to evacuate patients onto the surrounding streets before launching a missile attack that destroyed the hospital’s emergency unit, its main entrance and a facility holding medical oxygen for intensive care patients. The patients, the victims of weeks of Israeli bombing of the city, included intensive care patients, amputees and many more with acute injuries who now have no other medical facility to be transferred to. This small hospital, part of the Diocese of Jerusalem, was the last functioning hospital in Gaza City and the last trauma unit.

Aid blocked as famine looms

No aid has entered Gaza since 2nd March 2025 and the situation is rapidly deteriorating. Our partners at MA'AN Development Agency have been providing hot Iftar meals, though supplies have become increasingly difficult to obtain and they have been unable to source any meat.

Palestinians report that, since the blockade was tightened, prices for limited goods have soared — basic necessities now cost up to 300% of their usual price, a situation described as “reminiscent of the famine period” before the ceasefire. We have sent  donations to MAAN to provide hot meals and water.

Psychosocial support amid trauma

Meanwhile, another partner, DSPR who had in the cease fire resumed its full psychosocial trauma support work with children and women, often utilising buildings that have been badly damaged, have had to cut back on their services again. They had to close their Rafa Centre and move all the equipment from there as Israel gave evacuation orders and has launched waves of attacks on Rafa. 

They also had to close their work in Gaza city as people felt that if they congregate for activities that they are more likely to be targeted by Israeli missiles. The activities they do run also cannot be as in depth. It is impossible to run trauma support work for children who are going to be retraumatised minutes later, so their work is now predominantly about psychological coping mechanism for children and families 

Thanks to your ongoing support we are able to continue supporting our amazing partners in Gaza. Thank you.

Best Wishes,

Katie