Newsletter from Gaza - June 2026  

The attacks in the West Bank are worsening, with an average of 6 settler attacks per day in May and an advancement of over 3,400 housing units east of Jerusalem. While this move was condemned by the UN and a coalition of Western nations, nothing was done to stop this. People continue to lose their lives, homes and livelihoods daily.

The aggressions in Lebanon continue. Over 3,613 people were killed since the onset of the war, and an estimated 1.3 million people, a quarter of Lebanon’s population, are displaced and live in tents, on the streets, or squeezed in with relatives. I wonder- what would happen if this were in Germany (my home country), and 25 % of the population, 21 million people, had to live in tents and were displaced. Would the world watch this and wait until leaders make a deal for peace? Leaders who are known not to be committed to peace.

The Iran – USA war reached its 100th day, and a lot of the debate is focused on the Strait of Hormuz. It’s heartbreaking to see how much focus is put on the economy, while the human cost and enormous suffering are much less in focus in the news, discussions, and basis for decision-making.

Gaza continues to be under attack, despite the (so-called) ceasefire. While the global attention has shifted to Iran, Lebanon and the economic effects on the world, people in Gaza are subjected to daily attacks. Still, there are drones hovering above people in Gaza, data is collected, and bombs explode frequently in very densely populated areas.

Where in Gaza is it not densely populated? The Israeli military makes small advancements towards the west daily and has occupied an area of 60- 70 % of the Gaza Strip already.

The map from the UNOCHA report 3 June 2026

I wonder when this violence will end

What are we waiting for? For someone to step up to stop these wars?

Do we hope there is a mechanism to reinstall justice and human rights, as we had hoped the United Nations would do?

Will there ever be a mechanism that guarantees rights, justice and peace for all?

 This time for all, or maybe again just for some?

Thank you so much for your donations!

In May, we collected 440 USD for Sami. This is brilliant! 

Sami used the money to support his family and further his studies.

We really appreciate your support, as many of us are also affected by rising prices, worsening inflation, and threats to our jobs.

Every amount matters, whether big or small. As we help Sami, his family, and his community, we know that hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are supporting people in Gaza.

The time is over where individuals had to mount everything alone- as a collective, we are strong!

Supporting a person and family at a time, we make a huge impact - all together.

Thank you for your support!

Sami’s life, studies, and expenses

In May, Sami was able to rest, and with medical care, massages, and medication, he recovered from the mental and physical exhaustion that had put him to bed for several days in April.

Sami recovered right on time to resume his studies at the beginning of this term. Recently, the college asked all students to attend in-person classes three times a week. Initially, Sami took quite exhausting transport, sitting in open trunks or tightly squeezed onto benches to cover the 6 km to the university, which often took over 30 minutes. In the last month, the college started offering bus transport for the students. While this makes the commute back and forth much easier, he has to pay for it. The university charges 250 Shekels (75 USD) per month for the bus fares, printing books, and buying materials for practical courses.

In addition to these fees, Sami obtained tools for engineering drawing, electrical circuits, and connectors in the past weeks. This so-called “trainer board” cost him 150 USD, and Sami is grateful to all of us for helping him to cover this expense so he can continue his studies.

Additionally, Sami goes to the internet cafe about 3 times per week to use the internet and study for university, as his tent has neither a table nor a quiet place to sit.

The journey to the internet café is rather an adventure, and Sami repeatedly found himself standing on a 10 cm metal bar between a car and the trailer, holding on to anything that would support him. A moment of less attention could mean he falls off the trailer and slides between the two vehicles.

Today, on Sami’s way back from the internet café, there was a strike close to him. Luckily, he was not hurt, but 17 people were injured, and 4 were killed. The strike was at the Al-Noss Roundabout, a very busy intersection where people have to pass to get from one place to another. Increasingly, strikes are carried out in densely populated areas, where civilians are killed indiscriminately. 

But- where in Gaza is it not highly densely populated?

Rats & Flea Infestation

Most people have been living in tents for over 2 years, are cramped into small spaces, and don’t have access to sufficient water and sanitation, as most of the infrastructure has been destroyed.

Some months ago, news reports of a rat infestation appeared, and people reported that, especially newborns and young children, were bitten by the rats.

Also, Sami and his family have to deal with them. It is a continuous struggle to keep rats away by distributing poison, keeping food items high off the ground, and blocking any entry points into the tents. This being said, rats can just bite their way through the thin tent canvas, and it’s a matter of luck when families, like Sami’s, manage not to have been attacked by rats. There is some indication that the rats were deliberately set onto the Gaza population as a weapon of war; these rats are more resistant to poison and are righteously aggressive towards humans, more than commonly known rats are.

But rats are not the only problem- there are also fleas that attack people in Gaza and cause constant itching, which can lead to infections. Each week Sami’s family gets one bottle of anti- flea-spray. The daily spraying keeps the worst away- until now- it is a question of time before the fleas become resistant to the methods that are available in Gaza. Life in Gaza is not easy, and there are constant difficulties that need to be solved.

Please consider making a donation.

Sami and his family rely on us to meet their daily needs.

Without us, they would not know how to survive.

Let’s keep in mind that we are part of a larger movement of people who care. None of us has to carry the whole burden of this world alone- together, we make a huge difference in Sami’s and his family's lives and the lives of people in Gaza.

Its on us, the people. 

Let's stand up for humanity! Our support and voices save lives.

We are the millions!

And we can make the change.

This newsletter is published in English and German. Please subscribe to the newsletter, mention the language(s) you would like to receive, or contact Luna at Luna@healingforhumanity.world

luna@healingforhumanity.world

for more information visit our website: healingforhumanity.world