Dear John,
Israeli troops are now positioned for a ground invasion of Rafah. It is one of the last areas of Gaza that the Israeli military has not yet invaded. It is also a declared safe zone and the center for all humanitarian aid distribution. Almost the entire population of Gaza was displaced into Rafah and now has nowhere left to flee. Our staff and their families are among them.
Take action: Urge Congress to demand an immediate cease-fire.
On Feb. 6, the Israeli government rejected a cease-fire offer by Hamas and negotiated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. Instead, Israel is poised to escalate the violence by attacking Rafah, which will lead to the loss of many more civilian lives and the disruption of humanitarian aid distribution. It comes as people in Gaza are dying from starvation, thirst, exposure, and the destruction and obstruction of access to health care. And it is disrupting the already heavily constrained efforts of humanitarian and medical organizations to provide lifesaving efforts in the face of massive need.
Despite being displaced multiple times themselves, AFSC’s team in Gaza has distributed aid to over 121,710 people in Khan Younis, Deir El-Balah, and Rafah. Since late December, we have been serving hot meals from an open-air kitchen to displaced people living outside of shelters. We have provided families with water, food parcels, and fresh vegetables. We have distributed hygiene kits to women and seniors, among other critical supplies. And we have been hosting activities for children.
Diplomacy and respecting international law, not militarism, are the way forward for ending violence and saving lives. Our elected officials must act now to end all U.S. military aid to Israel and demand a stop to this invasion and an immediate cease-fire to prevent further genocide. Your voice is needed now: Please send a message today.
Thank you for your support.
In peace,
