Palestine: practical ways to help from France in 2026
At a glance
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical in 2026. According to UNRWA (report of 11–17 March 2026), 72,135 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, and nearly 2.1 million people have been displaced.
- In 2026, OCHA launched a 4 billion dollar emergency appeal to help 3.6 million people in Gaza and the West Bank.
- Giving money to a trustworthy NGO is still the most effective way to help from France: it means people receive exactly what they need, without the logistical hurdles of shipping goods.
- LIFE has been working in Palestine for several years, with teams and local partners on the ground.
- LIFE's donor relations team is here to guide you and answer any questions about how your donation is used.
Since the conflict broke out on 7 October 2023, Gaza has become one of the most intense and most closely documented humanitarian crises in the world. In 2026, the needs are still immense. Thousands of people in France are asking the same simple questions: how can I really help? Where can I give safely? And do donations actually get through?
This guide gives practical answers to those questions, using the latest data available from OCHA and UNRWA reports.
What is the humanitarian situation in Palestine in 2026?
Gaza remains one of the worst crises in the world. According to UNRWA's situation report for 11–17 March 2026, between 7 October 2023 and 11 March 2026, 72,135 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip and a further 171,830 were injured, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health as reported by OCHA.
A ceasefire came into force on 10 October 2025, allowing humanitarian aid deliveries to partly resume. But since late February 2026, following a regional escalation, Israel has once again closed almost all crossing points. Kerem Shalom is the only crossing still partly open to humanitarian and commercial supplies, creating a major bottleneck.
The needs in numbers
According to OCHA's 2026 Flash Appeal, 3.6 million people in Gaza and the West Bank need humanitarian aid, and more than 4 billion dollars is required to meet those needs. UNRWA also reports (March 2026) that 46% of essential medicines and 66% of medical consumables are out of stock in Gaza.
Famine, officially declared in August 2025 by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), was lifted in December 2025. But the UN warns that without a sustained increase in food aid, Gaza could slip back into famine in 2026.
Important
The situation in the West Bank: according to OCHA (report of 19 March 2026), displacement caused by settler violence has already reached 95% of the total recorded for the whole of 2025. The UN estimates that around 1.2 million people in the West Bank need emergency humanitarian aid.
Why a financial donation is the most effective way to help from France
Many people in France want to send clothes, food or medicine. It's a natural instinct. But in Gaza in 2026, logistical constraints and restrictions at the crossings mean that giving money to an NGO on the ground is far more effective.
Here's why:
- A financial donation lets the NGO buy exactly the right supplies for current needs, locally or in neighbouring countries, with no international shipping costs
- NGOs have networks of local partners who know the supply routes and the most urgent needs
- In an emergency, money can be put to work within hours, whereas shipping goods would take weeks
- Donations to organisations such as LIFE qualify for 66% French tax relief, which means a €100 donation really costs you just €34
In practice
Good to know: LIFE has been working in Palestine for several years with teams and local partners. Every euro given through LIFE's Palestine emergency page goes straight to field programmes: food aid, clean water and emergency shelter. LIFE's donor relations team can tell you how your donation is allocated.
How do you choose a trustworthy NGO to help Palestine?
In an emergency, dishonest fundraising appeals can circulate. Here are the criteria to check before you give – it takes five minutes.
| Criterion | What you should find |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Registered association, with its RNA number clearly shown |
| Presence on the ground | Teams or local partners active in Gaza or the West Bank |
| Financial transparency | Published annual accounts, with more than 70% spent on charitable programmes |
| Tax receipt | The NGO must be recognised as serving the public interest |
| Traceability | Activity reports by country, with regular updates on operations |
For a complete 5-step method, see our guide Giving to an NGO: 5 criteria for choosing a trustworthy charity. And to see exactly how LIFE keeps your donations transparent, our article NGO transparency: how to check how your donations are used sets out all the tools available.
To better understand who the civilians affected by these conflicts are, our article Internally displaced people vs refugees: understanding the difference and taking action covers the essentials.
What does LIFE actually do in Palestine?
LIFE has been present in Palestine for several years. Its work covers several priority areas identified by its teams and local partners:
- Emergency food distribution: food parcels for displaced families
- Access to clean water: water deliveries and repairs to water points
- Shelter and emergency kits: tents, hygiene kits and blankets for families with no home
- Medical aid: support for healthcare facilities and access to medicines
All of LIFE's operations in Palestine are documented and available to view at life-ong.org/urgences/palestine. LIFE's donor relations team is happy to answer any questions about current work.
Other ways to help Palestine from France
As well as giving money, there are other ways to get involved.
Raising awareness and advocacy
Sharing verified information about the humanitarian situation, passing on appeals from trustworthy NGOs and supporting advocacy campaigns all help keep up international pressure for access to aid. NGOs working on the ground need public visibility so that their work continues to be supported.
Skills-based volunteering
If you have particular skills (translation, communications, accounting, logistics), you can contact LIFE's donor relations team to offer your help. Our guide to humanitarian volunteering in France explains all the options available.
Regular giving
A monthly donation, however small, lets LIFE maintain a permanent presence on the ground, whether or not the crisis is in the headlines. It's often between crises that needs are hardest to fund. To find out why regular giving makes all the difference to an NGO, read our article Regular vs one-off donations: what impact for a charity?
Image: photo of a Palestinian family receiving a LIFE food parcel — alt: "Family in Gaza receiving a LIFE humanitarian food parcel, 2026"
Would you like to help the people of Palestine today?
Your donation qualifies for 66% French tax relief, and you'll receive an annual tax receipt. Our team is here to help with any questions – get in touch!
Donate now →Frequently asked questions
Do donations really reach Gaza in 2026?
Getting aid into Gaza is made difficult by restrictions at the crossings. NGOs with local partners and established networks on the ground are best placed to deal with these constraints. LIFE works with local partners who know the supply routes. The donor relations team can give you precise information about current work.
Is my donation for Palestine eligible for tax relief?
Yes. LIFE is recognised as serving the public interest and is authorised to receive donations that qualify for French tax relief. The rate is 66%, up to a limit of 20% of your taxable income. A Cerfa tax receipt is sent to you automatically after your donation.
Can I send medicine or clothes to Gaza?
Sending goods from France to Gaza runs into considerable logistical and regulatory obstacles, including the restrictions at the crossings documented by OCHA. Giving money to an NGO on the ground remains the most effective form of help: it means what people need can be bought locally, without the delays and costs of international shipping.
What is the difference between helping Gaza and helping the West Bank?
Gaza and the West Bank face different humanitarian situations. In Gaza, the crisis centres on immediate survival needs (food, water, shelter, healthcare). In the West Bank, needs stem from forced displacement, home demolitions and restricted access to services. LIFE works in both territories according to the priorities identified by its teams.
How can I be sure LIFE is really present in Palestine?
LIFE regularly publishes reports on its operations in Palestine, available at life-ong.org. Its annual accounts are published and certified by an independent auditor. Its independent volunteers share first-hand accounts from the ground. The donor relations team can provide full information about current programmes.
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