Bella and Gigi Hadid donate $1 million to Palestinian aid agencies

American model sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid are donating $1 million (£785,000) to support Palestinian relief efforts.

A representative for Bella said the money was intended to be split equally among four humanitarian organizations that focus on children and families affected by the conflict in Gaza.

The sisters, whose father is Palestinian real estate tycoon Mohamed Anwar Hadid, expressed support for those affected.

In May, Bella posted on the social media platform Instagram, saying she was “devastated by the loss of the Palestinian people and the lack of empathy from government systems around the world.”

The donations follow a series of photographs of the model at the Cannes Film Festival last month, showing her in a red and white dress made from traditional Arab fabric associated with Palestinian culture.

She wrote that it was “a beautiful way to represent history, labor of love, resilience and, most importantly, the art of historic Palestinian embroidery.”

After Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, Gigi wrote on Instagram: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by this unjustifiable tragedy, and every day that innocent lives are lost to this conflict – including one too many are children.

“I have deep empathy and sorrow for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it is a responsibility I shoulder daily.”

She added: “While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include harming a Jewish person.”

The four humanitarian agencies receiving donations from the sisters are Heal Palestine, the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, World Central Kitchen and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

The organizations support humanitarian assistance, including food and medical programs, help displaced families and provide psychological services amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

US President Joe Biden on Friday urged Hamas to accept a new Israeli proposal. end the conflict in Gaza, saying “it is time for this war to end.”

The conflict began when Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 252 hostages back to Gaza.

More than 36,000 people have been killed in Gaza since it began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.