On Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists from Gaza launched a surprise attack against towns in southern Israel, including a music festival. Media reported there were more than 1,200 killed, including 25 from the United States, nearly 3,000 injured and more than 100 hostages being taken.

In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and sent airstrikes into Gaza on Sunday, which resulted in more than 1,100 Palestinians being killed.

For those seeking to help victims and families impacted by this crisis, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance offers the following giving tips and a list of BBB Accredited Charities soliciting for relief efforts.

• Can the charity get to the impacted area? Not all relief organizations will be positioned to provide relief quickly. See if the charity already has a presence in Israel or Gaza.

• Are you alert to possible social media scams? Scammers recognize the emotional motivation to help in response to emergencies. Be wary of responding to appeals without taking the opportunity to verify the trustworthiness of the social media source or the specified charity.

• Should you send clothing and food? Local drives to collect clothing and food to send overseas may not be practical as the logistics and timing to deliver and disperse such items will be challenging. Relief organizations are better equipped to obtain what is needed, distribute it effectively and avoid duplication of effort.

• Is the charity experienced in providing emergency relief? Experienced disaster relief charities are the best bet to help deliver aid immediately. New entrants may have difficulty following through even if they have the best intentions.

• Are you considering crowdfunding appeals? If engaging in crowdfunding, it is safest to give to someone you know and trust, keeping in mind that some crowdfunding sites take measures to vet posts others don’t. If the poster claims they will forward funds to a specified charity, consider visiting the charity’s website and giving to them directly after checking them out.

• Are you cautious about “100%” claims in appeals? Charities have fundraising and administrative expenses. If a charity promotion claims that all funds collected will be used for relief, see if there is an explanation about how they can do this. Even a credit card donation will have a processing fee.

The following is a list of BBB Accredited Charities: (Please note that some of these charities are focused on relief efforts in Israel, Gaza or both areas).

• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee

• Anera

• Helping Hand for Relief and Development

• International Rescue Committee

• Islamic Relief USA

• Jewish National Fund

• Mennonite Central Committee

• Oxfam America

• Penny Appeal USA

• Project HOPE

• Save the Children

BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles, BBB Wise Giving Reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust.