An update on our Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal

Thanks to all supporters who donated to our Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal.

We launched the Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal in response to the devastating attacks in Israel on 7 October, and the escalation of the conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian emergency.

Our support was needed to help communities across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and our appeal name and focus reflected this.

The funds we have raised through this appeal have helped support the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent teams responding to this crisis. This includes Magen David Adom (MDA) in Israel, and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Gaza and the West Bank.

But more than nine months into the conflict, the unmet humanitarian needs in Gaza are immense. More than a million people face starvation, and the entire country faces acute hunger. Medical care has all but collapsed and there nowhere is safe to go.

To support the men, women and children in such catastrophic need – now and in the long term – we have launched a new appeal: the Gaza Crisis Appeal.

As a Movement, we are here for humanity, no matter who or where a person in need may be. Our new Gaza Crisis Appeal reflects the vast humanitarian needs in Gaza today.

With so many homes destroyed, traumatised families and crumbled infrastructure, the Gaza Crisis Appeal will also help us provide an ongoing humanitarian response in the many years ahead.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has so generously given to our Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory appeal.

Although we are not accepting further donations to this appeal, it will remain open to those who are already supporting it – through Just Giving pages for example, or fundraising events.

How the Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory appeal has supported communities in Israel

From day one, our brave and inspiring Magen David Adom colleagues in Israel have supported people affected by the horrific attacks on 7 October.

MDA staff and volunteers have worked day and night to bring life-saving assistance and medical treatment to people who need it most.

Donations to our Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory appeal have helped to support this critical response.

More than 10,000 MDA staff and volunteers responded in unimaginable circumstances, mobilising 1,500 ambulances and helping more than 4,000 people.

And in the days that followed, MDA collected, tested, and processed more than 118,000 units of blood and conducted trauma first aid training sessions for 60,000 people.

Ongoing support for Magen David Adom

We will continue to monitor the situation and needs in Israel, led by our colleagues at Magen David Adom. For now, our focus is on providing ongoing peer to peer support but we will always be ready to provide additional support or funding if it is needed. 

Supporting Israeli hostages and their families

The families of more than 200 hostages have endured months of terrible suffering, and for more than 100 hostages and their families, this ordeal continues.

The plight of the hostages remains one of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s top priorities.

So far, the ICRC has been able to facilitate the release of 109 hostages and has repeatedly requested access to check on their wellbeing, deliver medicines, and allow message exchanges.

The ICRC continues to engage with all parties to call for the unconditional release of those still held, and for them to be treated humanely, receive adequate healthcare, be allowed to contact their families and for the ICRC to have access to them. 

The lack of access remains a source of deep frustration and grave concern. 

• How the Red Cross is supporting hostages in Israel

How the Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal has supported communities in Gaza and the West Bank

Funds from the Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal supported staff and volunteers from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, who have been working tirelessly and risking their own lives to help those in need.

This includes providing critical health and psychosocial services, setting up camps for internally displaced people, and facilitating the delivery of aid into Gaza.

The ICRC has also been supporting the response, and have set up a field hospital in Rafah. It has also helped more than one million people access clean water, distributed tonnes of medical supplies, provided food to thousands of people, and continues to provide medical and surgical support.

• Find out more about our response in Gaza and donate to our Gaza Crisis appeal.

Here for humanity

We are here for humanity, no matter who or where a person in need may be. Decisions on who, how and why we provide support to those suffering are based on where there is need.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will continue to respond to the humanitarian needs in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and across the wider region.

We will continue to work closely with the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Magen David Adom in Israel, the ICRC and other National Societies in the weeks, months and years ahead, and to support all communities affected by this conflict.

More on the crisis in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank

• What is the Red Cross doing to support Israeli hostages in Gaza?
• Remembering Red Cross and Red Crescent colleagues killed in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank
• How the Movement protects people during armed conflict
• Who are Magen David Adom and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society?