Gaza 1,000 days on: What you need to know and how you can help

Today marks 1,000 days of the catastrophic escalation in Gaza. In less than 3 years, the enclave has been altered beyond recognition.

Fewer people walk the streets of its cities and villages – more than 73,000 people have been killed and some families with means made the heartbreaking decision to leave Gaza when the chance arose.

Of those who remain, at least 1.9 million are displaced, struggling to cope with the heat, then the cold and rain in tents that were never meant to last so many seasons.

While a ceasefire came into effect in October, daily violations have been recorded and Israel’s illegal blockade remains in place, with restrictions on getting desperately needed items into Gaza still punishingly tight.

The path ahead looks bleak; hundreds of thousands dream of returning home while knowing their buildings are no longer standing. Even if farmers could return to their fields and fisherman to their boats, they would find the land unworkable, and most boats destroyed.

Children, who between this crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic could have missed up to 5 years of school, have no idea when, or if, life will ever return to normal.

Hunger shapes the rhythms of daily life for everyone in Gaza, whose hours are dictated by the never-ending search for food, water and other essentials.

People in dire need of healthcare often cannot find it in Gaza and are prevented from leaving to seek help elsewhere, and the Strip’s water, electricity and sanitation infrastructure have all but collapsed.

The sheer scale of the devastation is hard to envisage.

Key figures:

• More than 73,000 killed and over 173,000 wounded

• 76% of homes damaged or destroyed

• 0 hospitals fully functioning

• 93% of schools need rebuilding or major repairs

• 90% of energy infrastructure has been destroyed

• 89% of water and sanitation infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed

• Unemployment has topped 80%
• 96% of cropland can’t be farmed
• 72% of fishing boats have been destroyed

How is Islamic Relief supporting the people of Gaza?

Islamic Relief has been delivering aid in the Occupied Palestinian Territory for more than 30 years – and throughout this latest devastating crisis in Gaza.

Thanks to our incredibly generous supporters and the unwavering dedication of our staff and partners on the ground, we have supplied £51 million-worth of lifesaving aid during these darkest 1,000 days.

This aid has included:

• 70 million hot meals, as well as fresh vegetables and food parcels

• Clean drinking water

• Medical supplies

• Healthcare services for new and expectant mothers and their babies

• Temporary learning centres in displacement camps

• Psychosocial support for children

• Sponsorship for more than 21,000 orphaned children

• Hygiene and dignity kits for displaced families

Our current projects in Gaza include maternal healthcare, education programmes and psychosocial support for children, and food voucher and vegetable distributions.

What can I do to help?

The attention of the international community has waned since the ceasefire came into effect on 10 October 2025, but the needs on the ground remain enormous.

Islamic Relief continues to advocate for unimpeded humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine – which drives poverty and injustice, denies Palestinians their fundamental rights, and perpetuates this crisis.

Please donate to our Palestine Emergency Appeal to help us get aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

Your generosity is a lifeline for families enduring unspeakable hardship in Gaza and makes it possible for Islamic Relief to provide lifesaving aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Please help us continue this vital work. Donate to our Palestine Emergency Appeal today.