Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on January 10, 2025 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Dear Supporters,

Another week has passed, and I’m back with updates from the ground in #Gaza. While there’s talk of a ceasefire deal, I believe it’s little more than a gimmick—a distraction used to prolong suffering while giving political players the chance to pat themselves on the back. As the powerful negotiate in luxury, the people of Gaza endure relentless hardship—cold, hungry, and unsafe. Just my two cents.

Before diving into Gaza updates, I want to express solidarity with the people of California who are facing devastating wildfires. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

Now, to the heart of the matter: the incredible work your generosity has made possible.

Soup Kitchens: Staying Strong

Our six soup kitchen locations remain fully operational, serving at capacity despite the immense challenges. We’ve also increased drinking water deliveries to six trucks daily, ensuring more families have access to clean water.

Here’s what’s happening across Gaza:

Khan Younes:
Crowds have grown significantly, and the team has stepped up, adding more pots to meet the need. Their food is delicious, their work tireless, and their photos uplifting. This location is now a hub of activity with three initiatives: the soup kitchen, the classroom, and the daily water deliveries. They’ve even added staff to enhance flavors and expand their impact.

Al Zawaydah:
This is our largest location, and the team here is nothing short of heroic. They cook every day, ensuring meals are hearty and nutritious by investing in extra vegetables. They’ve introduced a patron card system that guarantees meals while keeping capacity for new faces. It’s a well-oiled machine, driven by compassion.

Beach Camp:
Chef Faten and her team are doing wonders here. Five days a week, they bake savory pies, mini pizzas, sweet breads, and pastries. Fridays are reserved for rice dishes, a staple that also sustains three other locations in North Gaza, including the one providing meals for the Arab Baptist Hospital.

Al Shaikh Radwan:
Our northernmost location came under fire this week, with bullets landing alarmingly close to the cooking pots. It gave the crew a scare, but they soldiered on. Their courage inspires us all.

Hospital Deliveries:
Chef Kabar and his team prepare meals daily for the Arab Baptist Hospital, with Omar and Fatema ensuring these hot meals are delivered safely. Their dedication makes us so proud.

What’s Next?

I often ask myself: How can we do more? What else can we do? Sometimes we have answers; other times, we don’t. What’s certain is that our work remains critical. From distributing blankets, classroom supplies, to hygiene kits and care packages in both North and South Gaza, every dollar you donate is stretched to serve the community.

We need more resources, yes. And while moving funds into Gaza is a constant challenge, we persist, finding ways to get resources into the hands of our courageous crews who make all this magic happen.

How Can You Help?

Share and Engage: Social media platforms are slowing us down, and we need your help to amplify our stories. Share, engage, and tag us—it makes a bigger difference than you might think.

Boycott and Advocate: Support ethical companies and continue advocating for peace with justice.

Keep Gaza in Your Prayers: Your prayers and well wishes matter.

Thank you for being such incredible allies. Your generosity keeps the Gaza Soup Kitchen alive, and your support inspires us to keep going. Together, we’re making a tangible difference.

With gratitude and hope,
Hani
Gaza Soup Kitchen Team"

Read more / donate / share:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-173221650335-4b67c31ca83d11ef&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b
#NorthGaza #IsraeliWarCrimes #Starvation #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #IsraelHumanRightsViolations
#StopArmingIsrael #WorldWarBibi #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #BibiIsAWarCriminal #Genocide #GoFundMe #KhanYounes #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza #Gaza #AlZawaydah #KamalAdwan #KamalAdwanHospital
#AlShaikhRadwan

Surviving war and #HIV: #Queer, HIV-Positive, and Running Out of Medication in #Gaza

by Afeef Nessouli, Steven W. Thrasher, January 13 2025

"Life in #NorthernGaza is precarious enough without having to worry about #AIDS. Airstrikes and ground raids are a constant threat that keep people from leaving their homes to find food. 'We have to conserve,' said E.S., a 27-year-old who lives with his mother and younger brother in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in southwest Gaza City. 'People are fighting each other to get the aid boxes.'

"And then there’s the issue of medication.

"'My doctor told me that the antiretrovirals have been consumed completely and there is nothing left in store,' said E.S., who is HIV-positive and agreed to speak with The Intercept using a pseudonym to avoid community stigma and targeting by the Israeli authorities.

"He needs #tenofovir, a common HIV medication, and #lopinavir / #ritonavir, a much more rarely prescribed one. At times, E.S. has had so little left that he dangerously began rationing his pills by skipping morning doses. 'There are no more supplies coming in or there hasn’t been any supplies at all coming in to the south or to the north,' he typed in a direct message. While Israel has denied blocking medication, international aid groups like #Glia have told The Intercept that HIV medication specifically has been blocked from entering the Gaza strip.

"Without these medications, E.S. — who already uses a walker for mobility — would see his health deteriorate rapidly. Within a short span of time, he would begin to move even more slowly, and he might lose the ability to walk altogether. With soldiers mandating mass displacement and sniping Palestinians as they try to evacuate, this could mean a death sentence.

"As Israel’s war on Gaza rages around him, E.S. has spent most of his time at home with his two cats. While many of his neighbors moved south to Rafah, he stayed put with his brother and mother, who is a cancer survivor. His limited mobility, the result of a viral infection exacerbated by HIV, made leaving more dangerous than staying.

"So they chose to stay north — despite warnings from the occupation military to evacuate. His home, while offering more protection than a tent, hasn’t exactly been safe: 'I saw people get sniped right across the street from me. It was a family of five trying to cross the road after they were ordered to evacuate their building before it was bombed.' He said the parents died and the children survived.

"E.S. used to get his medication from Al Rimal Martyrs Clinic, but it was evacuated and then reinhabited by displaced Palestinians.

"'Now, with the genocide happening, I fear not only my health deteriorating, but also how my family will respond,' he wrote. For years, his family didn’t acknowledge his HIV status; now he worries that his condition will be a liability for them."

Read more:
https://theintercept.com/2025/01/13/israel-gaza-war-hiv-aids-medication/
#NorthGaza #IsraeliWarCrimes #GazaAid #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #IsraelHumanRightsViolations
#StopArmingIsrael #WorldWarBibi #BibiIsAWarCriminal #Genocide #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on January 3, 2025 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Thank you for being here with us and standing in solidarity. It's deeply troubling that, in 2025, we are still needed, and even more devastating that #Gaza remains under relentless military assault. Just yesterday, 69 defenseless #Palestinians lost their lives to Israeli violence. Yet, we press on, because giving up is not an option.

"Our winterization efforts are expanding across Gaza through several initiatives. In #NorthGaza, we are distributing heavy blankets—updates on this will be shared later today on social media. Yesterday in #KhanYounes, we handed out hats and gloves to the students in our classroom led by Ms. Fatma. These small but crucial interventions are aimed at helping families cope with the brutal winter. Still, the images of people drenched and freezing in the rain are heart-wrenching, especially knowing that at least seven babies have succumbed to the cold. It’s overwhelming, but we refuse to stop. In addition to cooking daily meals—stews and soups—we’re challenging ourselves to find new ways to keep people warm. While we wish we could provide tents or tarps to shelter those most vulnerable, for now, we are focused on winter clothes and blankets. Each blanket costs about $40, and we’ve sourced the heaviest kind available. We also hope to find sleeping bags soon.

"Before diving into more updates, I want to share some exciting news. Slate Magazine just published a podcast interview with me, where I talk about #UNRWA, the #GazaSoupKitchen, and #ChefMahmoud’s inspiring contributions. I hope you get a chance to give it a listen—it’s a glimpse into the work we’re doing and the people behind it."

Read more (and share and contribute if you can)...
https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily
#Starvation #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #Genocide #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #BibiIsAWarCriminal #GoFundMe #KhanYounes #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza #Gaza #AlZawaydah #AlNussairet #SouthGaza #ArabBaptistHospital #StopArmingIsrael #WorldWarBibi #IsraeliWarCrimes #IsraelHumanRightsViolations

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on December 26th, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Dear Comrades,

As we approach the end of another year, we are met with the painful reality that for #Palestinians, the years 2023, 2024, and likely 2025 will remain marked by suffering, #starvation, and invisibility. Despite undeniable evidence, even from U.S. government reports acknowledging famine in North Gaza, influential figures like the U.S. ambassador to Israel have dismissed these truths. For us, the famine is not a distant statistic — it is our daily reality at the Gaza Soup Kitchen.

As the co-founder of this initiative, I witness firsthand the heart-wrenching struggles of families who come to our four locations in North Gaza seeking a hot meal. And while we stretch every resource to serve everyone who shows up, there are still times when we have to send people home empty-handed. It breaks our spirits — not only mine but also those of the chefs and volunteers, who feel this injustice deeply because they, too, live it.

But we refuse to stop. We expand because we must. This week alone, we added 150 families to our daily roster across North Gaza and Khan Younes. By simply adding more rice to our pots, we’ve been able to feed 25 additional families in one location.

As the year comes to a close, here’s where we stand:

North Gaza Operations: We now have four active locations: one in Beach Camp, one in Al Shaikh Radwan, and two in Al Naser. At one of the Al Naser kitchens, we prepare and deliver 140 meals daily for hospital patients, ensuring each meal serves at least two individuals. Families sheltering nearby also receive meals, and if a child shows up empty-handed, our chefs find a way to send them home with food.

Khan Younes Revival: Our Khan Younes kitchen has been reinvigorated, now serving over 200 families daily, primarily displaced families from Al Mawasy. The team has been working tirelessly to refine their operations, and their excitement is contagious. They also deliver water every morning, a vital service for the community.

Al Zawaydah Highlights: This week, the Al Zawaydah team introduced a new hot dish and prepared sahlab, a beloved winter drink made with cinnamon and coconut, for 300 children. Adults weren’t left out, and alongside the sahlab, the team served 525 hot meals, cementing this location as our largest operation.

All of this is possible because of you. Every day, we spend between $12,000 and $15,000 to sustain these efforts, ensuring families receive food and dignity. Beyond the daily meals, we also provide one-off food parcels to families in need, quietly addressing gaps where they arise.

This week, a significant stock donation of $25,000 reinforced our ability to dream big for Gaza. The donor's faith in our mission is humbling, and we’ve even developed tools for others to contribute stocks, opening new avenues for support.

To our incredible supporters: thank you. For 10 months, we have answered every call, served every meal, and shared every moment of hope because of your generosity. You’ve helped us make this year a little less unbearable for so many.

But let us not forget the context of our work. Beyond the soup and rice, my heart breaks with every story of a Palestinian journalist targeted, a physician attacked, or an influencer silenced. These stories keep me up at night. They ruin my days and weeks. But through it all, we must continue to find purpose, to act, to resist despair.

This is my purpose. Thank you for walking this journey with the late Chef Mahmoud and me, for believing in our work, and for spreading the word.

Take a moment to look at the pictures from the last 24 hours at the Gaza Soup Kitchen. Each image tells a story of resilience, of community, and of hope.

With gratitude and resolve,
Hani
Your friend at the Gaza Soup Kitchen"

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-173221650335-4b67c31ca83d11ef&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b
#NorthGaza #IsraeliWarCrimes #Starvation #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #IsraelHumanRightsViolations
#StopArmingIsrael #WorldWarBibi #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #BibiIsAWarCriminal #Genocide #GoFundMe #KhanYounes #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza #Gaza #AlZawaydah #KamalAdwan #KamalAdwanHospital

#EUOfficials Will Claim Ignorance of #Israel’s #WarCrimes. This Leaked Document Shows What They Knew.

The internal EU document may strip European foreign ministers of “plausible deniability” in #IsraeliWarCrimes in #Gaza, experts said.

Arthur Neslen, December 23 2024

[...] "Skoog’s analysis laid out evidence from United Nations sources of war crimes by Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah since October 7, 2023, when around 1,200 people were killed during a Hamas-led attack that prompted Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip. The U.N. estimates some 45,000 people have died in Gaza since, with more than half estimated to be women and children.

"Though the assessment did not spare Hamas and Hezbollah, much of its strongest language was reserved for the Israel Defense Forces [#IDF].

"'War has rules,' the paper says. 'Given the high level of civilian casualties and human suffering, allegations focus mainly on how duty bearers, including the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), have seemingly failed to distinguish between civilians and combatants and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects against the effects of the attacks, in violation of the fundamental principles of #IHL' — international humanitarian law.

"Skoog cites an increased use of 'dehumanizing language' by Israeli political and military leaders, which may 'contribute to evidence of intent' to commit genocide.

"'Incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence — such as that made in statements by Israeli officials — constitutes a serious violation of international human rights Law and may amount to the international crime of incitement to genocide,' the paper says.

"The implications for senior officials from arms-exporting countries to Israel — such as #Germany, #Italy and #France — were not lost on Yanis Varoufakis, the former Greek finance minister and secretary-general of the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025.

"If the International Criminal Court finds Israeli officials guilty of war crimes, #Varoufakis told the Intercept, the very distribution of the report to EU ministers carries significance because the Europeans will not be able plead ignorance.

"'They cannot plausibly deny that they were privy to the facts given the contents of the EU’s special representative’s report that they had a duty to take under consideration,' Varoufakis said. “The world now knows that they knew they were in breach of international law because they were explicitly told so by the EU’s own special representative on human rights. History will judge them harshly. And perhaps so will the ICC.'"

Full article:
https://theintercept.com/2024/12/23/eu-report-israel-war-crimes-complicity/
#Genocide #WarCrimes #StopArmingIsrael #NorthGaza #Gaza #BibiIsAWarCriminal #WorldWarBibi #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #StandWithPalestine #FreePalestine #IsraelHumanRightsViolations

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on December 19, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Salam, Shalom, and Hello Everyone,

Thank you for being here, for your compassion, and for all you do to make the world a better place. Right now, there’s no place more deserving of your time and generosity than Gaza, Palestine. Your unwavering support for the Gaza Soup Kitchen and the incredible helpers—both inside and outside Gaza—reminds us that humanity endures, even in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Every day, we see destruction and cruelty, but alongside it, there are moments of hope—moments made possible by people like you who refuse to give up. The Gaza Soup Kitchen began as a response to heartbreak, born from an inability to stand idly by. Since its launch earlier this year, we’ve been humbled by the scale of impact we’ve achieved together.

Looking back over the past 10 months, I often ask myself: Was it worth it? The answer lies in the faces of the children we’ve fed, the families we’ve supported, and the comfort we’ve provided amidst chaos. A meal for a child in March, food parcels in April, classrooms in May, formula for newborns, and so much more—these moments affirm why we do this work, despite the personal cost.

This Week’s Updates

1. Expanding to Gaza City Hospitals
This week, we launched a dedicated soup kitchen in Gaza City to provide meals to three major hospitals. So far, we’ve delivered 100–150 meals per day to hospitals like the Baptist Hospital and the Public Service Hospital. The gratitude from medical staff and patients has been overwhelming, and we’re determined to scale up to 500 meals daily. Tomorrow, we’ll prepare 250 meals, taking another step toward that goal.

These meals are delivered by Omar, Fatma, and Yousef, Chef Mahmoud’s children, who wear vests with his insignia. When people see the logo, they offer a small prayer for him—a touching reminder of the legacy we’re building together. This operation is led by Mama Samah, a local chef who has brought her expertise and warmth to this critical mission.

2. North Gaza Kitchens
In North Gaza, our three locations continue feeding up to 850 families daily. The largest serves 325 families, while the others serve 250–300 each. Despite their own fears and displacement, the crew shows up daily, cooking with heart and serving their neighbors with a smile. This area now has over 23 crew members, including a large number of women at our beach location.

3. Al Zawaydah Kitchen in the Middle Area
Our largest operation, located in Al Zawaydah, serves 550 families daily. This kitchen is the backbone of our efforts, though its high food costs and demand present challenges. Still, the team continues to innovate, delivering meals that nourish both the body and the spirit. This is also where Hamoudi, a young boy beloved by the community, often visits with his kittens—a reminder of resilience in even the toughest times.

4. Khan Younes Kitchen
In Khan Younes, we’ve transitioned to daily operations over the past week. Starting with 150 families, we now serve 225. The team has pledged to never turn anyone away, ensuring no one leaves empty-handed. With your help, we’ll sustain this location beyond its initial seed funding from Communities Connections UK, which will soon run out. Daily operations cost $1,000, and the five-member crew is committed to making every dollar count.

5. Additional Initiatives
Beyond meals, we’re delivering four truckloads of water daily to communities in desperate need, thanks to our partnership with flo.pure. Food parcels are also distributed when resources allow, ensuring families have access to essential supplies.

Looking Ahead

Our immediate goal is to increase hospital meals to 500 per day within the next week. Tomorrow, we’ll prepare 250 meals, pushing the limits of what’s possible with our current resources. With your continued support, I’m confident we can rise to this challenge.

A Personal Note

Next week, I’ll be traveling to Egypt to visit my sisters—one a permanent resident, the other recently medically evacuated. Thanks to the cheap seats I booked, I’ll also spend a few days recharging and reconnecting during my day long layovers with friends in Paris, Amsterdam, and Turkey before returning to continue our work in Gaza. Please let me know if you are near any of those places.

End-of-Year Appeal

As the year draws to a close, I hope you find time to rest and reflect. Donations to the Gaza Soup Kitchen are now tax-exempt in the U.S., and your support has never been more critical. The coming weeks are pivotal for Gaza and the Palestinian cause, and every contribution makes a difference.

Thank you for standing with us and for helping to keep hope alive in Gaza.

Warm regards,
Hani
Gaza Soup Kitchen

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-173221650335-4b67c31ca83d11ef&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b
#NorthGaza #IsraeliWarCrimes #Starvation #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #IsraelHumanRightsViolations
#StopArmingIsrael #WorldWarBibi #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #BibiIsAWarCriminal #Genocide #GoFundMe #KhanYounes #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza #Gaza #AlZawaydah #KamalAdwan #KamalAdwanHospital

#Israel Orders 'Impossible' #Evacuation While Attacking One of #NorthGaza's Last #Hospitals

"If #KamalAdwanHospital is decommissioned, there will be no way of preserving conditions of life to the remaining 75,000+ civilians in north Gaza," the hospital's director said.

December 22, 2024

"The Israel Defense Forces [#IDF] on Saturday ordered one of the last partly operating hospitals in northern Gaza to shutter and evacuate, even as hospital staff say there are not enough ambulances to do so safely and persistent firing on the facility makes people afraid to leave.

"Israel launched bomb, artillery, and sniper attacks on the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia beginning Saturday, as the Wafa news agency reported. The attacks killed three people in the area and wounded several, according to Wafu. On Sunday, an Israeli drone strike on the hospital's fuel tanks and power generator shut off its electricity, the Anadolu Agency reported.

"'We currently have nearly 400 civilians inside the hospital, including #babies in the neonatal unit, whose lives depend on oxygen and incubators,' hospital director Dr. Husam Abu Safiya said in a statement on Sunday. 'We cannot evacuate these patients safely without assistance, equipment, and time.'"

https://www.commondreams.org/news/kamal-adwan-hospital-gaza
#NorthGaza #IsraeliWarCrimes #Starvation #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #WaterIsLife #IsraelHumanRightsViolations
#StopArmingIsrael #WorldWarBibi #Genocide #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza #Gaza #KamalAdwan #KamalAdwanHospital #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya

[Photos] Honoring Courage During A Year of #Genocide -- Solidarity with
#Palestine in Indian Country

By #BrendaNorrell, #CensoredNews, December 19, 2024

"Censored News honors the courage of Native People who stood in solidarity with Palestine and spoke out against genocide. During a year of genocide, most of the media in the United States published distractions and false narratives, aiding and abetting in war crimes and genocide."

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2024/12/honoring-courage-during-year-of.html

#FreePalestine #Solidarity #BibiIsAWarCriminal #IsraeliWarCrimes #IsraelHumanRightsViolations #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NativeAmericanActivists #ReaderSupportedNews

#UMO #Divestment Rally - #JewishVoiceForPeace at UMO.

Friday, December 13, 2024
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

#FoglerLibrary
#Orono, #Maine, 04469
United States

Source:
https://www.mvprights.org/events/umo-divestment-rally

TIME IS PLACEHOLDER, watch UMaine JVP for updates
https://www.instagram.com/umainejvp/

#WestBank #Gaza #FreePalestine #IsraelHumanRightsViolations
#IsraeliWarCrimes #Genocide
#WorldWarBibi #BibiIsAWarCriminal #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong
#UniversityOfMaineOrono #Maine

TODAY! In #BrunswickMaine!

Panel: #Israel’s War Against the #UN and #Palestinian #Refugees

Tuesday, December 10, 2024
4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Kresge Auditorium
239 Maine Street
Brunswick, ME, 04011
United States

"In October, the Israeli Knesset voted to ban any activity by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees – a lifeline for Palestinians in Gaza. This move is part of a larger war against not only Palestinians, but also the United Nations itself. Israel has refused to comply with UN General Assembly or Security Council resolutions, derided decisions and advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice, and rejected UN human rights envoys and commissions of inquiry.

- What is UNRWA, and why is Israel so obsessed with destroying it?
- Why is Israel waging war on the United Nations?
- What does this mean for Palestinians?

"Please join Bowdoin Students for Justice in Palestine (#SJP) & Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (#FSJP) for a free public panel featuring:

- Nasser Abourahme - Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern and North African Studies at Bowdoin College

- Fateh Azzam - Former Middle East Representative for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

- Lee O'Brien - Former Head of Research for the UNRWA West Bank and Gaza; Former Head of the Middle East Team, Department of Political Affairs for the UN Secretariat.

https://www.mvprights.org/events/unrwa-teach-in

#UNRWA #WestBank #Gaza #FreePalestine #IsraelHumanRightsViolations #IsraeliWarCrimes #WorldWarBibi #BibiIsAWarCriminal #GazaSoupKitchen #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #MaineVoicesForPeace #MaineVoicesForPalestinianRights #StudentsForJusticeInPalestine #FacultyForJusticeInPalestine #BowdoinCollege