Oct. 7

"To end violence in Palestine and Israel we must address root causes”

AFSC issues a statement mourning all who had been killed, urging respect for International humanitarian law, and calling for an end to the apartheid system Palestinians had lived under for decades. In the following weeks, AFSC supporters send tens of thousands of letters to Congress calling for a cease-fire, humanitarian access to Gaza, and the release of all hostages and civilians held captive.

Oct. 8

AFSC Gaza office is bombed by the Israeli army.

The office was housed in a protected building intended to serve as a shelter from attacks. Soon after, AFSC staff and their families are forcibly displaced. They run for their lives and seek shelter elsewhere in Gaza.

Oct. 20

Gaza Action Hours for a Cease-fire Now.

AFSC launches a weekly online gathering for people to get updates and make calls to Congress. Over time, more than 6,000 people register. Read more.

Oct. 29

Courageously delivering humanitarian relief

AFSC’s Gaza team made their first distribution of humanitarian relief, handing out food parcels to over 500 families. Since then, they provided water, food, and hygiene kits to many more displaced people. Like most humanitarian workers, our staff members face grave danger. They have lost loved ones and been displaced multiple times themselves, a plight that continues today. But their courageous efforts have saved lives when people had few places to turn for help. With little aid being allowed to enter Gaza, AFSC staff rely on longstanding partnerships to find and purchase food and other essentials locally. Despite the personal hardships, they have not wavered in their efforts. “Every aid delivery, every medical intervention, and every act of compassion brings hope to individuals and families struggling to survive,” says Gaza Office Manager Firas Ramlawi. “Every life we touch adds to a reservoir of hope, driving us forward in our efforts to alleviate suffering and contribute to a brighter future for all affected by the crisis.”

Nov. 13

A new partnership with Egyptian relief organizations

Trucks of food, blankets, medicines, and other necessities are prepared. Some trucks are held back for months because of Israeli policy limiting border access, among the hundreds of other aid trucks awaiting entry.

Nov. 13

No Tax Dollars for War Crimes Day of Action

People in over 20 U.S. communities build memorials in front of local congressional offices and urge elected officials to support a cease-fire and end U.S. military funding for Israel. Since then, AFSC staff have continued to meet with representatives on Capitol Hill.

Nov. 25

Supporting Gaza patients stranded in the West Bank

AFSC begins distributing medicine and winter clothes to 168 Gaza patients stranded in Ramallah. Working with the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development, we also provide families with hot meals.

Nov. 26

A day of activities for children at a shelter in Rafah

During a brief cease-fire, our Gaza team works with local partners to bring moments of joy to displaced children living in a U.N. school. In the following months, our team would do the same for thousands more children.

Dec. 2023

Exposing war profiteers

AFSC launches a new research project tracking corporations directly involved in the genocide in Gaza. The list was compiled by AFSC’s Action Center for Corporate Accountability, which supports economic activism on all AFSC issues. The list has become a key resource for activists, organizations, and elected officials advocating to end foreign arms supply to Israel and impunity for corporate enablers of genocide.

Dec. 23

AFSC opens its first open-air kitchen in Rafah

In the following months, we open more kitchens, serving an estimated 3,000 meals daily.

Jan. 26

The International Court of Justice determines that Israel’s actions in Gaza may constitute genocide.

AFSC immediately calls on the U.S. and all governments to support a permanent cease-fire and hold Israel accountable.

Jan. 30

AFSC’s humanitarian relief efforts surpass 100,000 people.*

*Figures are based on the units of aid distributed and number of children who have taken part in recreational activities.

Feb. 14

To Gaza, with Love

People around the world join AFSC in sending messages of love to Gaza on social media.

Feb. 21

AFSC begins distributing aid in the north of Gaza and in Gaza City through our partner Palestine Tomorrow.

Feb. 23

Aiding people with serious illness

In Rafah, AFSC distributes fresh vegetables and water to dozens of cancer and kidney patients who had been displaced from hospitals that were forced to shut down.

March 1

AFSC General Secretary Joyce Ajlouny meets with White House officials.

She is part of a delegation of faith leaders imploring the administration to help stop Israel’s assault on Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis. Watch the video.

March 7

Civil disobedience at the State of the Union

Hundreds of people block the route of President Joe Biden’s motorcade in Washington, D.C. AFSC staff and governance members were among them.

March 19-22

AFSC staff conduct high-level meetings with members of the European Commission, urging them to support a cease-fire and humanitarian access.

March 10

Celebrating Ramadan

AFSC staff hires a cattle breeder in Rafah to slaughter sheep for Ramadan meals. An estimated 1,400 people receive meals of meat, rice, and dates. Throughout the holy month, AFSC staff also distribute fresh vegetables and other foods to 700 families per day.

March 24

Cuts to humanitarian aid

Despite the threat of famine, the U.S. government cuts funding for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, the main provider of aid in Gaza. Israel also bars the agency from northern Gaza.

March 28

Kites for Gaza

On March 28, around 500 Palestinian children flew kites on a beach in Rafah to memorialize the thousands of children who had been killed by the Israeli military. AFSC staff organized the event, helping displaced children make kites out of materials at hand. “This activity, set against the backdrop of tents that have become a temporary home for many, aims to send a poignant message to the world,” said AFSC’s Firas Ramlawi. Two days later, AFSC held a solidarity "Kites for Gaza” event in Washington, D.C. at the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. Among the hundreds of kites flown were 44 white kites to honor Palestinian poet and professor Refaat Alareer. He was 44 when he was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.

April 5

AFSC’s humanitarian relief efforts surpass 500,000 people.

Apr. 10

Israeli settlers attack an AFSC aid truck.

The truck was carrying over 26 tons of flour from Amman, Jordan to Gaza.

April 12

A Quaker vision for peace in Palestine and Israel.

At least 125 Friends meetings, churches, schools, and organizations have since signed on to this Quaker statement that reads, “Lasting peace and reconciliation will be realized when both past and ongoing injustices are acknowledged and addressed, ensuring freedom, dignity, equal rights, and justice for all people living in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

April 15

AFSC holds a second No Tax Dollars for War Crimes day of action.

Mid-April

Thousands of students set up encampments on college campuses across the U.S.

AFSC accompanies dozens of student groups and community campaigns calling on universities, cities, and others to divest from war, occupation, and apartheid. Our support includes a hotline and online toolkit for divestment.

April 28

Goals for Gaza soccer tournament.

AFSC staff organize a soccer tournament for youth living in camps in Rafah and launches the #GoalsForGaza campaign. Dozens of young people participate and hundreds more spectate. Solidarity matches take place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and other locations around the world.

May 2

AFSC is forced to pause humanitarian relief efforts.

Our staff are among the hundreds of thousands forcibly displaced and seeking shelter as Israel expands airstrikes and begins a ground invasion in Rafah.

May 8

AFSC and partners publish documentation of Israeli war crimes and other violations of U.S. and international law.

Our groups call for an immediate suspension of arms transfers from the U.S. to Israel.

May 9

Staff resume limited humanitarian operations.

Just over a week later, we begin a massive distribution of nearly 400,000 gallons of drinking water to reach 250,000 Palestinians.

May 11

A visit with the pope

AFSC General Secretary Joyce Ajlouny joined Nobel Peace Prize laureates and other dignitaries in meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. They issued a peace declaration, calling on all nations to commit to peace, justice, and human rights for all. The declaration was also “clear in speaking out against the human toll of the attacks on Gaza and the need for international action,” Joyce said.

June 4

AFSC partners with Gaza Community Mental Health Programme in Al Khwalda and Al Amal camps.

We give out soap, towels, sanitary napkins, and other hygiene essentials to women as they receive psychological support.

June 7

Apartheid-Free Communities

AFSC marks one year since the launch of this initiative urging congregations, communities, and others to cut ties with Israeli apartheid. Over 370 groups have joined our efforts.

June 20

Supporting mothers and newborns.

AFSC and local partners start distributing diapers and baby formula to more than 2,500 families in the Middle Area and Khan Younis.

July 19

A historic decision on the Israeli occupation.

The International Court of Justice rules that Israel’s occupation of Palestine—including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—is unlawful. The ruling calls for an immediate end to the occupation and new settlements.

Aug. 15

AFSC’s humanitarian assistance in Gaza reaches over 1 million people.

September

Supporting children's education

AFSC's team in Gaza distributes backpacks and other school supplies to 1,500 children in displacement camps. Although most schools have been destroyed, children are attending classes in makeshift classrooms in tents.

Sept. 30

The number of letters to Congress from AFSC supporters taking action on Gaza surpasses 235,000.