Gaza donations are being sent from all over the world. During a temporary ceasefire, thousands of trucks have lined up at the Rafah border crossing, bringing aid from various regions and in different forms to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. However, there’s a pressing question: what kind of donation is currently most needed?
History of Gaza, Palestine
Derived from the Semitic language family, the name ‘Gaza’ translates to ‘strong’ or ‘sturdy’. Historically, the mention of ‘Gaza’ first appears in records dating back to the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III in the 15th century BC. Gaza has long been recognized as a critical junction for diverse cultures and major civilizations, acting as a key trade route between Asia and Europe. According to Dick Doughty in his article “Gaza: Contested Crossroads,” Gaza has been inhabited for over five thousand years.
Since 1948, Israel, with backing from the British government, has been colonizing Palestine. This led to the Nakba event, which saw the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinian residents from their homes and lands. Only two regions remained habitable for Palestinians: the Gaza Strip (Qitha Ghazzah) and the West Bank (adh-Dhiffat al-Gharbiyyah), which includes Jerusalem, the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Contrary to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip is considerably smaller, covering an area of about 365 square kilometers, roughly half the size of Jakarta. In 2007, Zionist Israel established a blockade around Gaza, severely limiting the flow of goods and people in and out of the area. By 2016, they completed a 6-meter high and 65-kilometer-long iron wall, equipped with sensors and cameras, further isolating Gaza. Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has also imposed strict controls at the Rafah border in West Gaza, effectively turning Gaza into an open-air prison for its 2 million inhabitants.
Furthermore, Zionist Israel constructed similar barriers extending over 700 kilometers in the West Bank, purportedly to protect Israeli citizens from potential ‘extremist’ Palestinian attacks. However, these measures have severely restricted Palestinians’ access to essential resources.
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The Deteriorating Situation in Gaza
Following a brief ceasefire, Zionist Israel resumed its indiscriminate attacks on Gaza. Within 24 hours after the ceasefire ended on December 1, 2023, at least 700 residents were killed. The people of Gaza are increasingly being forced to relocate towards the Rafah border. Israel reneged on its promise not to target the southern regions if Gaza’s inhabitants moved southward, yet South Gaza was bombed after the ceasefire ended.
The daily toll on children and women continues to rise. Israel’s attacks are unmistakably targeted at civilians, with hospitals, mosques, and even ancient churches being destroyed. Numerous international laws have been violated, yet Israel has faced no sanctions.
The people of Gaza are left with nowhere to turn and no place to seek shelter. Their homes, lands, access to education and healthcare, families, and places of worship have been ruthlessly taken from them. Now, with the onset of winter, they lack warm clothing, shelter, and adequate resources. Yet, by continuously strengthening our solidarity, supporting one another, and spreading awareness, we can encourage the United States and Israel to cease their attacks on Gaza. Through donations, extensive social media education, relentless solidarity actions, and ongoing prayers, we can collectively support Gaza.
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The Most Needed Gaza Donations Currently
Currently, the people of Gaza need many types of aid, especially in the food and medical treatment sectors. Food that is easy to process and consumed by the people of Gaza, such as bottled drinking water, wheat flour and wheat, rations, biscuits, public kitchens, or ready-to-eat food. Also needed are clothing and shelter needs such as clothing, decent beds in shelters, sturdy tents for protection, sanitation equipment, hygienic women’s pads, diapers, and baby supplies. Medical and treatment needs such as ambulances, media equipment, medicines. Energy resources such as solar panels and their equipment.
More than 2 million people in Gaza have lost everything. Losing their homes, family, education, health access. What remains is their belief in Allah SWT. The technical needs of Gaza donations may change according to the needs and conditions on the ground.
Avoid Donations in This Form
If you are organizing a donation drive in the form of goods, avoid donations like this, as they are feared to be wasteful when they arrive. Such as food that is nearing its expiration date, food ingredients that are difficult to process in conditions attacked by the Zionists, and used clothing that is not suitable.
Logistical aid entering Gaza faces obstacles, one of which is the long journey of aid shipments from Indonesia to the location. Not to mention the long queue for Gaza donations through the Rafah border crossing. Therefore, it would be less effective if the encouraged aid was sent individually. Collaborating collectively to send Gaza donations according to their needs is the best thing that can be done.
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Unite Gaza Donation Solidarity with Dompet Dhuafa
Gaza has a long history. From its strategic location as a trade route to the discovery of significant natural gas resources. However, many Palestinian residents fled and lived in Gaza after the Nakba event carried out by the Zionist Israeli invaders. Palestinian residents are not only Muslims but also Orthodox Christians. Many historic buildings in Gaza were destroyed by Israeli bomb attacks. The attacks injured more than 17,000 people, half of whom were children.
Colonization in the world must be abolished. The massacre of children must not be allowed. Friends, we must remain consistent in uniting solidarity to help Palestine rise again. If you are confused about what form of aid to give, you can donate cash through Dompet Dhuafa. The Dompet Dhuafa team will always manage donation funds according to the current needs of the people of Gaza. Click the image below to participate.
