Duaa Mansour, her husband, and three children are sitting in the garden of the house of the family they are displaced at. She and her husband are challenged to make food for their three children who lost significant weight during the Israel's war on Gaza. (Photo: Alef Multimedia Company/Oxfam)
What does Oxfam do in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel (OPTI)?
Oxfam has been working in OPTI since the 1950s, with a country office established in the 1980s. Working with Israeli and Palestinian partner organizations, Oxfam aims to improve the lives of poor and marginalized Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Our work focuses on agricultural development, emergency and primary health, education, protection of civilians, and the rights of women. For example, we support cooperatives of women olive producers to improve the quality of their oil and reach wider markets. We also work with human rights organizations to advocate for civil and political rights and an end to the policies that cause poverty and injustice.
A Palestinian man from Gaza standing in front of his destroyed house in Al Remal area in Gaza. The destruction was caused by the Israeli Airstrikes during the escalation that started Saturday, Oct 8, 2023. (Photo: Marwan Sawwaf/Alef Multimedia/Oxfam)
What is happening in the Israel-Palestine conflict?
Israel is inflicting mass death, forcible displacement, starvation and deprivation upon more than two million people, and reducing Gaza to rubble. Palestinians in Gaza are being repeatedly displaced into so-called ‘safe zones’ - but it’s clear that nowhere is safe.
Conditions across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the West Bank, continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate. Every week, the death toll in the West Bank rises as ‘incursions’ by the Israeli military and attacks by Israeli settlers increase, resulting in injuries, deaths and the forced displacement of Palestinians. Critical infrastructure is being deliberately destroyed along with hundreds of homes, while thousands of Palestinians have been arbitrarily detained. Palestinians living in the West Bank face daily harassment, humiliations and the denial of their basic rights, which are being trampled by the Israeli military.
Civilians on all sides continue to pay the price for the failure of their leaders to resolve a conflict that has led to the longest occupation in modern history. This latest and most horrific escalation of violence will not achieve security for Israelis and Palestinians, but instead pushes that goal further away.
Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced, multiple times, under the gravest hostilities imaginable. The Israeli military forced Palestinians from the north into southern Gaza, and into ever smaller so-called ‘safezones’ – although it’s clear that nowhere in Gaza is safe.
Gaza’s healthcare system is in ruins, with health care centres and ambulances destroyed, and most major hospital’s unable to operate. Full electricity black-out has been experienced since Oct 11 and telecommunications and internet coverage is unreliable and intermittent.
Israel has closed most of the access points into Gaza, slowing the flow of aid to millions of people in need to a trickle. Gaza’s water and sanitation systems are shattered. All across Gaza, people have extremely limited access to clean water and there are grave concerns of dehydration and waterborne diseases. Desalination plants are mostly unable to function due to a lack of fuel and the Israeli pipeline supplying water to the north is not functioning.
The food situation is catastrophic, particularly in the north where children are starving to death and famine is now imminent. Where food is available, prices are skyrocketing so it’s unaffordable for people who have extremely limited access to cash. Children are going entire days without eating.
People are lacking the basics needed to survive. They desperately need food, water, sanitation, and appropriate shelter. Farmers need fodder for their livestock. People need protection and psychological support. They need medicine and healthcare.
Replica Mark 84 2,000-pound bomb placed opposite the UK Parliament. Flowers laid alongside represent numbers of people estimated that will be killed during the UK Parliament recess and the Israeli hostages still in captivity on the 30th of July 2024. (Photo: Andy Aitchison/Oxfam)
What is Oxfam's position on the conflict?
We condemn all attacks, violence and targeting of Palestinian and Israeli civilians. The violence against Israeli civilians was abhorrent and the escalating violence against civilians in Gaza and the West Bank is without precedent. Attacks that deliberately target civilians are never justifiable. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and cease their attacks. The cycle of violence must end.
A permanent ceasefire is the most important humanitarian intervention that Gaza needs now. We need a ceasefire to stop atrocities being committed, and to end the deadly and destructive cycle of violence. We need a ceasefire because the population of Gaza is starving, and it is extremely challenging to help them under constant Israeli bombardment.
Oxfam calls for the unconditional release of all hostages and unlawful Palestinian detainees. During the humanitarian pause (24-30 Nov), 86 Israeli and 24 foreign national hostages were released which Oxfam welcomed. More than 100 people remain captive in Gaza, including Israelis and foreign nationals. All diplomatic efforts must be made to ensure the immediate and unconditional freedom of all hostages. The safety and well-being of all civilians is of paramount importance. Any act that puts civilians at harm, including hostage-taking, is unacceptable. An Immediate and permanent ceasefire would create a conducive environment for negotiations and dialogue, addressing not just the issue of hostages but broader concerns as well. Oxfam's core emphasis remains on ensuring that civilians, who invariably pay the highest price in conflicts, are protected from harm.
Israel's use of administrative detention and the ongoing detention of prisoners, including a significant number of children, are central to the creation of a coercive environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In 2023 alone, Israeli forces arrested 880 children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with many children currently held in Israeli jails. Since October 7, Israeli forces have detained many more Palestinians in raids across the occupied West Bank, including 260 during humanitarian pauses in Gaza. The practice of administrative detention is particularly alarming, as it allows Israeli military authorities to detain Palestinians for up to six months without charge or trial, based on undisclosed evidence. This order can be indefinitely renewed, leading to prolonged confinement.
Such practices form part of a dual legal system, where Israeli domestic law applies to Israeli settlers, while Palestinians are subject to martial laws enforced by the Israeli military. This system, integral to Israel’s regime, places Palestinians, including children, under constant threat of imprisonment for everyday activities, ranging from farming and fishing, to opposing the occupation. Reports of punitive practices and beatings of Palestinian prisoners, including children, have increased since October 7, exacerbating the sense of fear and oppression.
Oxfam condemns and abhors heinous crimes of rape, sexual abuse and degradation in all its forms that have been proven and alleged against all perpetrators from both sides of this conflict. International humanitarian law and human rights law absolutely prohibits all forms of sexual violence at all times and against anyone. There must be full investigations of all allegations, by competent authorities, and perpetrators held to account by law.
A ceasefire is imperative to help stop further loss of life, deliver required levels of humanitarian aid, avoid the total destruction of civic infrastructure like schools and hospitals, and cultural history. Without a ceasefire, it is simply impossible for the international humanitarian system to work safely to distribute aid and help protect the lives of civilians.
Fedaa is taking care of his children in their tent in Tal Sultan in Rafah city which he took refuge after he lost his house and factory. (Photo: Alef Multimedia/Oxfam)
Displacement and Safe Zones
The Israeli military has now displaced more than 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people into ever smaller areas, while continuing its siege. Displaced people must be allowed to return home as soon as possible. Civilians who choose to stay in their homes still have the rights to protection under international humanitarian law.
Oxfam strongly oppose the unilateral declaration of 'safe zones' or 'safer areas' by the Israeli government, as these have proven ineffective and unsafe for civilian protection.
The division of Gaza into intensely targeted neighborhood blocks is creating a false impression of safety – nowhere in Gaza is safe. This forced displacement could constitute both a crime against humanity and a war crime.
The concentration of large numbers of civilians into these small so-called ‘safe zones’ is not only impractical but is creating a humanitarian catastrophe. The relocation orders have resulted in severely overcrowded shelters, without access to water or adequate sanitation. The sudden surge in population density in these southern areas means that Israeli military operations in the south are leading to an extraordinarily high civilian death toll.
Oxfam is deeply concerned about any measures that jeopardize the rights and well-being of civilians, including any alteration of the territorial integrity of Gaza.
Some call for economic or military sanctions against Israel. What is Oxfam's stance on that?
Oxfam supports targeted sanctions that address specific violators rather than broad-based sanctions that can negatively impact the general population. We believe that sanctions should have clear objectives and timelines and be carefully designed to avoid harming vulnerable populations.
Does Oxfam support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement? Or its partners?
As an impartial humanitarian organization, Oxfam does not support or promote the BDS movement as an organizational policy, but respects the rights of others to make their own choices. Our primary concern is the humanitarian impact on all civilians affected by the conflict, and we aim to avoid any unintentional impacts of boycotts on vulnerable populations.
Does Oxfam boycott or call for a boycott of products from settlements?
Oxfam supports a ban on trade from illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Products profiting those who are violating international law should not end up in shopping trolleys.
We believe any trade legitimizes their presence, is an obstacle for peace, and exacerbates the denial of rights and on-going poverty of Palestinians we work with. Oxfam does not accept donations from businesses involved in the illegal settlements.
Duaa Abu Sabha holds water bottles while walking to her tent in the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis Governorate. (Photo: Alef Multimedia/Oxfam)
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AT SCALE NOW IMPOSSIBLE:
Oxfam and other operational agencies are doing what they can, through partners, to deliver some amounts of life-saving aid, but this is not enough. The Israeli military onslaught is causing such destruction, danger, and civilian terror and suffering that makes any international humanitarian response of the scale required now impossible across the entire enclave. The nightmare is unfolding in full view of the international community. Our political leaders are failing – in abject weakness – to forge a ceasefire, which is the only possible humanitarian action that now really matters.
Oxfam has mounted a humanitarian response despite unprecedented challenges. Along with partner organisations in Gaza, Oxfam has delivered cash, food, water, essential basic items and restored water and sanitation services. But it is not nearly enough to meet the massive needs. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow, in safety, to those most in need.
Israel is deliberately obstructing aid despite being legally obligated to ensure its provision and is using starvation as a weapon of war. The international community must increase pressure on Israel to release its stranglehold on aid delivery, which is starving the population and making access to clean water and sanitation impossible.
Aid workers’ lives must be protected. This is by far the deadliest emergency for aid workers in recent history. More than 280 people have been killed so far trying to save other people’s lives. Highly experienced workers say this is the most complex and dangerous response they have ever worked on.
Our humanitarian response
INSIDE GAZA: Oxfam is working to deliver clean water and sanitation to Palestinians in Gaza, and is working with local partner organizations to provide shelter, food, healthcare services, hygiene kits and other essentials. We are also working together to support vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, and to provide specialised support to women and children. Our partners, like us, are now operating under extremely difficult conditions – including the displacement of their staff – and we know that the aid we are able to provide is only a drop in the ocean given the monumental needs of more than two million people.
In the first six months of the war, Oxfam successfully delivered more than 14,000 jerry cans and buckets, 3,000 protection kits, over 800 bedpans and commodes, 1,000 bedding kits, 29 tap stands and two pallets of handwashing stations. We are progressively also sending in around 4,500 food kits. We are anticipating the delivery of another 3,000 hygiene kits, nearly 300 winterisation kits, 60 cleaning kits, remaining food kits, and we have another 1,000 latrine slabs awaiting transportation.
Along with our partners, we have also made cash and voucher distributions into Northern Gaza, distributed dignity kits and mother and baby kits; provided clean drinking water to more than 44,000 people in Rafah; and together, we have rehabilitated wastewater networks in Rafah. Despite the extremely difficult operational environment, Oxfam and its partners have reached more than 250,000 individuals with life-saving aid and support in six months. The number of people reached grew to 335,000 in May.
IN THE WEST BANK: We are working to support Palestinians in the West Bank, who are facing myriad impacts of the war on their lives. Israeli forces and illegal settlers have increased their violent raids and attacks on Palestinians, with more than 500 people killed since October 7 and thousands arbitrarily detained.
Critical infrastructure and hundreds of homes have been deliberately destroyed. Movement around the West Bank is severely restricted with more checkpoints creating bottlenecks. Palestinians in the West Bank are also facing a severe economic crisis and poverty is increasing, with almost 150,000 people losing their permits to work in Israel.
Oxfam is helping families in need by providing food parcels, including fresh food. We are also working with our partners to support farmers to stay on their land, and women and young people with employment opportunities.
Oxfam’s shipment of vital water quality testing equipment has not been able to cross into Gaza since December.
We have had several other items that Israeli authorities initially rejected but have since been given pre-approval, and we expect these will be transported as soon as possible, including tank and bladder kits and hand-washing stands. We also regularly wait on authorities to pre-approve materials such as water testing kits, sterilisers, deionisation packs, pH sensors, photometers and turbidity tubes. This process usually takes two to three weeks.
The Gaza crisis is unprecedented in its scale and complexity. A ceasefire will demand an immediate scale up in our response where our current appeal funds can be utilized, however we know ongoing needs will be huge and the response required to meet them will be enormously costly.
Despite working under unimaginable conditions, our Oxfam staff and partners are still able to provide urgent and essential support to Palestinians in Gaza including fresh water and sanitation kits, but that is hardly enough to meet the sheer volume of needs.
Oxfam projects our humanitarian and development response will require tens of millions of dollars to help rebuild the lives of Palestinians in Gaza.
Oxfam is not a registered organization in Egypt and doesn’t have a team in Egypt, which makes any Oxfam response through the Rafah crossing challenging for us and many other unregistered organizations. However, we are actively pursuing multiple avenues, and working through partners in close collaboration with other humanitarian agencies, to see how we can bring goods in through the Rafah crossing within the parameters of the relevant legal framework.
WORK IN ISRAEL: Oxfam’s decision to respond in any crisis is always driven by humanitarian need alone - ensuring that people most in need of help are prioritised and taking into account the ability of states to provide assistance to their people. Even before the 7 Oct attacks, 80% of people living in Gaza relied on international aid following 16 years of blockade. The Israeli government and local and national organisations have the capacity to meet the current needs in Israel. Oxfam’s humanitarian appeal is therefore focused on providing help to people affected by the crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.
Oxfam funds and works closely with Israeli human rights groups working to defend and promote the human rights of Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
Please donate what you can to the Gaza appeal today.
Your donation will help provide lifesaving urgent needs such as emergency food, clean water and sanitation, shelter materials, hygiene kits, and other essentials.
