As the deadly Gaza conflict continues to escalate, a fresh humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the region.
The United Nations says more than 50,000 people have now been displaced by Israeli airstrikes, which - according to Palestinian authorities - have also taken out six hospitals and nine primary care health centres.
The death toll in Gaza has climbed past 200, including 61 children, according to local medical officials, while 12 people, including two children, have been killed in Israel.
The United Nations has been urging the international community to step up efforts to resolve the long-simmering tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
With concerns growing about the human toll of the conflict, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, here's how you can help.
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is working with the Palestine Red Crescent Society to deliver medical aid to those impacted in Gaza.
The Qatari Red Crescent said its offices in Gaza were damaged by an air strike on 17 May, while the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said one of its buildings and a clinic were also hit.
Robert Mardini, the ICRC's director-general, said the continual bombardments is hampering the ability of aid organisations to help those in need.
"The intensity of the conflict is something we have not seen before, with non-stop airstrikes in densely populated Gaza and rockets reaching big cities in Israel. As a result, children are dying on both sides," he said.
"For people in Gaza, access to hospitals and other vital infrastructure has become very complicated because of the incessant airstrikes and major damage to roads and buildings."
Australian Red Cross
The Australian Red Cross does not have a presence in the Middle East, but supports refugees affected by the conflict in Australia. Donations are used to help families access medicine and food.
Oxfam Australia
Global charity Oxfam supplies water and sanitation in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Longer-term, the charity also funds projects to improve the economic circumstances of women and youths through the functioning of agricultural markets and support to set up small businesses.
Oxfam’s policy advisor in Gaza, Laila Barhoum, said the impact on civilians from the increased fighting has been immense.
"Palestinians in Gaza have endured three successive wars just in the last ten years.
A confrontation between Israeli border police and Muslim worshippers gathered for Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque on 14 May 2021. Source: AAP
"We are tired. Day after day we watch the bombs fall on homes where our friends and family live and buildings where our colleagues work, wondering if we will be next."
Save the Children Australia
Save the Children is one of the largest NGOs working in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem to deliver education and child protection programs as well as water, sanitation and nutrition services.
Jason Lee from Save the Children in Gaza said families and staff are at "breaking point".
"They are living in hell with nowhere to seek refuge and seemingly no end in sight. Now basic supplies and power are running low, compounding and further fuelling this humanitarian catastrophe.'
Human Appeal International Australia
The charity has launched an emergency appeal to raise funds to assist their team of paramedics and workers on the ground help to clear the rubble to give access to ambulances and families seeking to return home.
The organisation said money is also being raised for hygiene kits, food parcels and first aid kits.
CARE Australia
Charity CARE Australia works with local partners to provide medical supplies, food, shelter and hygiene kits to families.
Operating in the region since 1948, CARE works with around 1.5 million people in the West Bank and Gaza.
In the aftermath of the latest bombardments, the charity is sending vital relief to local hospitals, but access has been difficult.
"CARE is sending urgent supplies to Al Shifa hospital but we are waiting for the opening of Karem Abu Salem crossing into and out of Gaza to provide access for humanitarian staff and materials," said Wael Ibrahim, CARE Palestine West Bank and Gaza Country Director on 17 May.
An injured Palestinian man is being brought to Al-Shifa hospital to receive treatment after an Israeli air strike in Gaza City. Source: AAP
Médecins Sans Frontières
Medecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, provides medical care, medical supplies and mental health support in Gaza.
A trauma and burns care clinic run by the charity in Gaza city was forced to close after damage from Israeli airstrikes on 16 May.
MSF teams have also been diverted to support emergency room staff at local hospitals.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency
The United Nations aid agency provides health care, food assistance, infrastructure construction support and education to registered Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip.
The organisation said that more than 50,000 displaced people are seeking shelter in 48 schools they operate.
The body also reports more than 40 educational facilities have been damaged in the fighting; and the power supply has been reduced to six to eight hours a day.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lynn Hastings urged fighting parties to allow aid agencies to bring supplies to affected civilians.
