Children in Gaza need help

Aid is barely reaching the people: On average, only 28 aid convoys arrive in Gaza daily – far too few for over two million people. Anyone attempting to obtain food themselves risks their life. 875 people have already been killed in the process.

According to the UN, since October 2023, well over 60,000 people have been killed and over 150,000 injured in Gaza – the majority of them women and children (as of September 2025).

The humanitarian system has not failed – it is being blocked. The deliberate creation of conditions that destroy a population, in whole or in part, constitutes a crime under international humanitarian law and the UN Genocide Convention. As the Israeli human rights organizations B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights recently stated, the latest data from Gaza shows that the world has failed to prevent this genocide. Terre des Hommes , medico international, and their partner organizations continue to provide life-saving assistance. But without safe access and political pressure on those responsible, this work becomes impossible.

Terre des Hommes also supports children and their families in the West Bank. The Israeli government has reiterated its commitment to the non-existence of a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed plans to expand settlements, including 3,400 housing units in the "E1" area east of Jerusalem. This project would effectively divide the West Bank in two, isolate East Jerusalem from the Palestinian territories, and thus destroy any territorial basis for a Palestinian state. As a result, children and families live under constant threat and with limited access to basic necessities. All Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.

We are watching the attacks across the region with great concern – especially because of the impact on the civilian population. Terre des Hommes reported that women's centers run by our partner organization in Lebanon were also bombed by Israel.

It is becoming increasingly clear that Israel's policies not only affect Gaza and the West Bank, but also threaten the stability of the entire region. According to experts, Israel has launched military attacks against at least six countries in the past two years – including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and most recently, Qatar.

The recent airstrike on Doha, particularly during ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas, has sent shockwaves through the Gulf states. Not only the continued attacks in Gaza and the escalation in the West Bank, but also Israel's willingness to undermine diplomatic processes with targeted assassinations threaten stability. Millions of civilians are feeling the immediate consequences – especially children, who suffer most from hunger, displacement, and bombings.

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Despite a ceasefire, the situation remains extremely fragile. It is still unclear to what extent aid deliveries are possible. The Israeli military operations, including forced displacement and the concentration of Gaza's population in ever smaller areas, have significantly hampered the supply of aid to the civilian population. The future of the distribution centers established by Israel is also uncertain. 

International humanitarian organizations and the United Nations are calling for a return to the well-established distribution system under UN leadership. So far, the international community has responded primarily with appeals and limited sanctions, which, however, do not adequately address the underlying system of occupation and displacement. Humanitarian aid alone cannot resolve the structural causes of this man-made humanitarian catastrophe. The continued blockade and military violence prevent a sustainable improvement in living conditions in Gaza.

Terre des Hommes works in alliance with medico international and local partner organizations in Gaza. These local organizations provide the population with the best possible assistance. Many staff members on the ground are themselves affected by the war and, like the rest of the population, are fighting for their own survival and that of their fellow human beings. 

Circumstances on the ground can vary and change rapidly at any time. Shelling and displacement have been a daily reality for the people for almost two years. Consequently, aid measures must be constantly adapted and sometimes temporarily suspended.  

Our alliance partner medico international has its own office on the ground and has been working with local Palestinian and Israeli non-governmental organizations for many years. These organizations possess the logistical capacity, expertise, and operational reach to provide effective assistance. Long-standing relationships with local partners enable transparent and trustworthy cooperation.

Terre des Hommes has already been able to support a wide range of aid projects, including medical assistance, the establishment of soup kitchens, and the construction of sanitation facilities. Together with partner organizations, the expansion of these projects is being reviewed. However, the implementation of these measures depends on the current security situation.

Terre des Hommes also supports children and families in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. The war in Gaza is not an isolated event but is closely intertwined with regional developments and historical circumstances. We continue to monitor the situation on the ground and are in close contact with medico international and partner organizations.

Yes, Terre des Hommes projects were also affected by the fighting. Two tent structures belonging to the Palestinian organization Mayasem Association in Al-Qarara in the southern Gaza Strip were completely destroyed in Israeli airstrikes. The tent structures housed a soup kitchen and a school – facilities that were funded with support from Terre des Hommes . 

Terre des Hommes strongly condemns the attacks on our partner organization and the destruction of humanitarian infrastructure. Despite a ceasefire, it cannot be ruled out that hostilities will continue. Our solidarity goes out to the staff in our projects who risk their lives every day to help people.