Bella and Gigi Hadid donate $1m to Palestinian family groups

Bella Hadid and her sister Gigi are collectively donating $1m (€925,000) to relief efforts in Palestine, the model’s agent has confirmed.

A representative for Bella told reporters that the money has been earmarked for equal distribution among four humanitarian organisations that have a focus on children and families — Heal Palestine, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), World Central Kitchen (WCK), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

The pair, whose father is Palestinian property tycoon Mohamed Anwar Hadid, have been vocal in their support for the people of Palestine amid the conflict in Gaza.

After Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, Gigi (29), who has modelled for design houses including Versace and Chanel and co-hosts Netflix’s Next In Fashion reality competition, wrote on Instagram: “My thoughts are with all those affected by this unjustifiable tragedy, and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict — too many of which are children.

“I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation. It’s a responsibility I hold daily.”

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

In May, Bella (27), who has appeared on 29 international Vogue covers, wrote on social media that she was “devastated at the loss of the Palestinian people and the lack of empathy coming from the government systems worldwide”.

At the Cannes Film Festival last month she wore a red and white dress made of a keffiyeh, the traditional Arabic headcloth that is associated with Palestine, writing on Instagram that it was “a beautiful way to represent the history, labor of love, resilience — and most importantly, the art of historic Palestinian embroidery.”

SInce the October 7 attack in which 1,200 were killed by Hamas, more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed by the IDF.