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Charity distributes hot food to displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis

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  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 12:31 GMT by Associated Press

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Charity Serves Hot Meals to Displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis as Gaza Crisis Deepens

Khan Younis, Gaza Strip — In the shadow of a war that has left more than 20,000 Palestinians displaced, a local charity has opened a makeshift kitchen in Khan Younis to provide hot meals to families struggling to survive. The distribution, carried out on Thursday, is part of a broader humanitarian effort to address the acute food insecurity that has emerged as Israel’s intensified assault on the Gaza Strip has devastated homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

The organization, the Al‑Mahabba Foundation, is a volunteer‑run NGO that has operated in the Gaza Strip for over a decade. “We’ve always believed that even in the darkest times, a hot meal can bring a glimmer of hope,” said Rashid Mahmoud, a senior volunteer with the foundation. “The people here are not just hungry; they’re desperate for dignity and a sense of normalcy.”

A Displaced Mass of Families

Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza near the Egypt border, has been one of the hardest hit towns. Since the escalation that began on October 7, the town’s population—estimated at 500,000—has swelled with refugees fleeing bombardments that destroyed entire neighborhoods. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), over 350,000 people in the Gaza Strip have been displaced internally, with a significant share in Khan Younis.

The Al‑Mahabba Foundation’s kitchen is set up in an abandoned school building, its walls still bearing scorch marks from recent shelling. The volunteers, in civilian clothing, have cleared the space, installed a temporary stove, and stocked shelves with rice, lentils, canned vegetables, and a supply of spices donated by local businesses.

“We’re operating under the most basic conditions,” Mahmoud explained. “The building doesn’t have a proper kitchen, no electricity, and no refrigeration. But we have a community that’s resilient. We’re making do with what we have.”

Numbers That Speak

In a single day, the foundation served 2,500 hot meals to families, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Each meal consisted of a modest portion of rice, lentils, and a side of vegetable stew, accompanied by water and, when available, fresh fruit. The volunteers were careful to monitor portion sizes to ensure equitable distribution, while also keeping an eye on waste to maximize the impact of each donation.

The charity also partnered with Islamic Relief Gaza and Save the Children to facilitate the transport of supplies. “We brought in a fleet of donated trucks from Egypt to bring in fresh produce and canned goods,” said Layla Abdel Karim, a coordinator with Islamic Relief. “Our goal is to make sure the food reaches the most vulnerable before it spoils.”

Human Stories Amid the Crisis

At the distribution point, an elderly woman named Fatima stood in a line of ten. She was clutching a small bundle of bread in her hands, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and weariness. “I have no place to stay,” she said. “My home was hit, and now I have to wait for food. This meal is a blessing.” Her story echoes that of countless others: homes reduced to rubble, family members lost, and the constant fear of the next bomb.

A young mother, Aisha, held her newborn’s hand as she waited. “I want to protect my baby,” she said. “Every meal is a small victory.” Her husband, a former school teacher, had been working with the foundation to organize volunteers. “We’re not just distributing food,” he said. “We’re creating a sense of community. The people see that we’re here for them.”

The Bigger Picture: A Humanitarian Emergency

The United Nations has repeatedly warned that Gaza is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that up to 30% of the population could face acute malnutrition if the conflict persists for an extended period. The Al‑Mahabba Foundation’s efforts are a microcosm of the larger picture: a relentless need for aid, the challenges of delivering it under fire, and the resilience of a people who refuse to let war extinguish their spirit.

“The war has not only taken lives; it has taken our sense of security,” said Hassan Saleh, a representative of the Gaza Civil Society Council. “But organizations like Al‑Mahabba are showing that there is still humanity left in the region.”

International Response and Calls for Ceasefire

While the foundation’s kitchen operates independently, it is part of a network of humanitarian initiatives across Gaza. The UN Security Council is currently discussing a potential ceasefire, with the hope that it could pave the way for the delivery of additional aid, including clean water, medical supplies, and rebuilding materials.

“We are calling on the international community to intensify diplomatic pressure on both sides to end hostilities,” Mahmoud said. “Only a ceasefire can ensure the continuity of aid and the restoration of infrastructure that can eventually support sustainable livelihoods.”

Looking Forward

As the conflict continues, the Al‑Mahabba Foundation plans to expand its operations. It aims to open an additional kitchen in the northern Gaza city of Jisr al-Basha and to coordinate with UNRWA to provide emergency shelter for the most severely displaced families. They are also seeking additional funding from international donors to secure more reliable refrigeration units, which would reduce food spoilage and ensure longer-term nutrition support.

“The next step is to not just feed but to empower,” Mahmoud remarked. “We want to build a community that can rebuild itself.”

For now, in the dim light of the abandoned school kitchen, the sound of steaming pots and the scent of lentil stew are a quiet testament to the perseverance of a people who, despite the devastation, continue to find moments of humanity and hope.