Nearly two years after the outbreak of the Gaza War in October 2023, a Turkish humanitarian organization has emerged as a consistent provider of aid, channeling resources from Türkiye through Egypt to support Palestinian civilians.
What makes this foundation stand out is its leadership: its founders are direct descendants of the Ottoman sultans, who for more than six centuries ruled an empire that once included the territories of present-day Palestine and Israel.
The Osmanoğlu Solidarity Association was established on April 8, 2021, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is led by Şehzade Orhan Osmanoğlu, son of Harun Osmanoğlu, the 46th head of the Ottoman dynasty.
Speaking to Newsyman, Orhan Osmanoğlu provided a detailed account of the humanitarian relief that he and his family foundation have been delivering to the Gaza Strip. From the start of the war in October 2023 through August 2025, the association has sent a total of 170 aid trucks carrying essential supplies.
The shipments, coordinated with the Egyptian Red Crescent via the Rafah crossing—the only non-Israeli entry point into Gaza—included staple goods such as food, flour, medicines, hygiene items, blankets, and other necessities. Distribution inside Gaza was overseen with the cooperation of local tribal leaders.
170 aid trucks to Gaza
The foundation focused on reaching the most vulnerable communities. Thousands of food parcels were distributed to families, supplemented by regular financial assistance to orphans, widows, and people in extreme hardship. This support proved critical during the war’s most intense phases, when markets and services were largely inaccessible.
Inside Gaza, the group established a public kitchen called Hamidiye, which prepares and serves hot meals to thousands of people daily. At times of heightened security risks, even for volunteers, the operation shifted to home deliveries of ready-to-eat packages. During the holy month of Ramadan, the association distributed tens of thousands of loaves of bread each day.
The Osmanoğlu association also set up a system for the regular distribution of drinking water to makeshift refugee camps. Its efforts extended beyond Gaza, reaching Palestinian refugees who had fled to Egypt, where they too received food and basic supplies.
Beyond material aid, Osmanoğlu stressed the importance of emotional and spiritual solidarity. During distributions, families listened to personal letters written by him, reminding them of the prayers and unwavering support of the Turkish people. “We stand with our brothers and sisters in Gaza,” he declared.
This initiative is part of a broader wave of international solidarity with Gaza, where the United Nations has repeatedly warned of famine risks and severe shortages long predating the current war.
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While the conflict shows no immediate signs of resolution, the involvement of the Osmanoğlu family carries symbolic weight: their ancestors once governed Palestine during the Ottoman era, until the First World War. Today, more than a century later, their descendants return—not as rulers, but as bearers of humanitarian relief.
Although the scale of the need remains overwhelming, the family’s efforts provide critical relief to thousands of Gazan families. Osmanoğlu emphasized that the entire process has been carried out with transparency and accountability, with regular updates shared on social media and in media outlets such as this one. You can support their mission by donating here.
