Ahmed Abbasi, head of the Gift of the Givers office in Gaza and a dedicated humanitarian, was tragically killed with his brother while returning from morning prayer, amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Gift of the Givers mourns loss of Ahmed Abbasi in Gaza conflict
Abbasi, who had been leading the Gift of the Givers’ efforts in Gaza since 2013, was known for his commitment to aiding the vulnerable.
His work included managing desalination plants, distributing food, and assisting orphans, widows, the elderly, and the ill. His untimely death leaves a void in the humanitarian efforts in the region.
In the days leading up to his death, Abbasi expressed a poignant sentiment about facing the harsh realities in Gaza with dignity. He criticised the directives of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), alleging that they led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians.
“He was a witness to the lies and deception of the IDF asking communities to move to safety and then bombing them on the way killing hundreds,” the non-profit organisation said.
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Gift of the Givers, through its founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, expressed profound grief over Abbasi’s death and extended strong support for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to bring Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Prime Minister, before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes.
“We want to add that Israel should be held accountable to pay war reparation in the rebuilding of Gaza and compensate every single family they have decimated,” Sooliman said.
The organisation also advocates for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador and the severance of diplomatic ties with Israel.
Read the full statement below:
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza, Gift of the Givers Reports
The situation in war-stricken Gaza has worsened since Hamas led an incursion against Israeli festivalgoers on 7 October 2023.
In a social media post published on Wednesday, the Palestine Red Crescent Society captured the harrowing journey of displaced persons from al-Quds Hospital to southern Gaza, further underscoring the severity of the humanitarian situation.
According to the Wall Street Journal, more than 11 100 Palestinians have died since early October 2023, amounting to at least 0.5% of the population in Gaza.