Two years of genocide have left Gaza in ruins. Hospitals, schools, homes, and nearly every public building have been destroyed. But amid the devastation, life persists—and so does the need for Palestinians to gather, learn, and heal together.
Thanks to your support, AFSC recently funded the construction of an 80-square-meter multipurpose hall in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, in collaboration with the Mayasem Association for Culture and Arts. This new community space is providing displaced Palestinians with something that has become very rare: a safe place to come together.
Since opening in late October, the hall has already hosted 15 workshops, meetings, and community activities. Students use it to pursue their studies online. Community members gather for trainings and support sessions.
In a landscape where so little remains intact, this hall represents a crucial piece of civic infrastructure. It is a place where people can rebuild community and experience moments of normalcy amid the ongoing crisis.
The project is part of AFSC’s broader commitment to strengthening resilience and supporting recovery in Gaza. Over the past two years, our staff have provided food, water, hygiene kits, and other lifesaving aid to over 1 million displaced Palestinians. We are also focused on longer-term recovery. Creating safe civic spaces like this hall helps ensure that communities have the foundation they need to gather, support one another, and work toward a more just future.
Although a ceasefire was declared in October 2025, Gaza's humanitarian crisis continues. Most hospitals remain closed, and 90% of buildings are uninhabitable. The Israeli government's severe restrictions on humanitarian aid make every intervention more challenging.
The generosity of the AFSC community makes our work possible. With your support, our team on the ground continues to provide critical relief and create spaces where community life can begin again.
Thank you for standing with the people of Gaza.
