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Children in Gaza need help

Even after the ceasefire, the situation in Gaza remains critical. It will take time for humanitarian aid to reach everyone. In addition, there is an impending cold winter, which will particularly affect the weakened children without adequate shelter, clothing, and food. 

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With Donald Trump's "peace plan," Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and the implementation of the first phase of the plan. This development inspires hope—but it must not be a mere respite. True peace requires more than the silencing of the guns: It requires a massive expansion of humanitarian aid, the protection of civilians, and concrete steps to end the Israeli occupation. 

While the ceasefire is in effect, we continue to receive reports of attacks and new casualties in the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, the population is gaining hope: They are returning to their destroyed cities, beginning to rebuild, and were able to sleep peacefully for the first night in a long time. Now, more than ever, these people depend on our help.

Two years of loss and destruction, suffering and grief leave deep wounds.

The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic: children are starving, injured, traumatized, and urgently in need of medical assistance. More than one in three people now has to go without food for days. In Gaza City, the proportion of malnourished children has quadrupled since February. Estimates suggest that around 500,000 people are at immediate risk of starvation. More than 62,000 tons of life-saving aid are needed every month to meet basic food needs in Gaza alone. Therefore, an immediate expansion of humanitarian assistance and unhindered access to food, medicine, fuel, and reconstruction materials are needed.

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Aid barely reaches the people: On average, only 28 aid shipments arrive in Gaza every day—far too few for the more than two million people. Anyone attempting to obtain food themselves risks their lives. 875 people have already been killed in the process.

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

The humanitarian system hasn't failed—it's been blocked. The deliberate creation of conditions that destroy a population, in whole or in part, is a crime under international humanitarian law and the UN Genocide Convention. As recently noted by the Israeli human rights organizations B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights, the current data from Gaza demonstrates 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 will be impossible.

Terre des Hommes also supports children and their families in the West Bank. The Israeli government has reiterated its commitment to no 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 cut the West Bank in two, isolating East Jerusalem from the Palestinian territories—and thus destroying any territorial basis for a Palestinian state. As a result, children and families live under constant threat and have limited access to basic services. All Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.

We are observing the attacks throughout the region with great concern—especially given 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 on at least six countries in the past two years – including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and most recently Qatar.

In particular, the recent airstrike on Doha 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. The immediate consequences are felt by millions of civilians—especially children, who suffer the most from hunger, displacement, and bombing.

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Our auxiliary measures

Al-Ard agricultural development organization supports the population with mobile sanitation facilities and the maintenance and supply of electricity to wells in displaced persons camps. Clean drinking water and functioning sanitation facilities are crucial to protecting the health of children and families. We also support the work of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) and the Mayasem Association , which provide medical assistance under extremely difficult conditions and fight for people's survival.

The situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is also tense: violence by Israeli settlers and the expropriation of Palestinian housing are increasing. Together with our sister organization Terre des Hommes Italy , which has been supporting Palestinian children and young people for over 20 years, we are supporting kindergartens in East Jerusalem to create educational opportunities and ensure the children's development.

Another project focuses on the Nour Shams and Tulkarem in the West Bank. It provides emergency assistance to forcibly displaced families, including food, hygiene items, child-friendly spaces, psychosocial support, and non-formal education for children and young people. A particular focus is on protecting vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Through these measures, we contribute to improving immediate living conditions and supporting humanitarian aid efforts in the region.

Another project focuses on the Nour Shams and Tulkarem in the West Bank. It provides emergency assistance to forcibly displaced families, including food, hygiene items, child-friendly spaces, psychosocial support, and non-formal education for children and young people. A particular focus is on protecting vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Through these measures, we contribute to improving immediate living conditions and supporting humanitarian aid efforts in the region.

questions and answers


Our help in the Gaza Strip continues under difficult conditions. We answer all questions about the use of your donation here:

Despite a ceasefire, the situation remains extremely fragile. It is still unclear to what extent aid deliveries will be possible. Due to the Israeli conduct of the war, including the forced relocations and the concentration of Gaza's population into ever smaller areas, it has become significantly more difficult to supply the civilian population. It is also questionable what will happen to the distribution centers established by Israel. 

International humanitarian organizations and the United Nations call for the return to the well -established distribution system under the leadership of the UN. So far, the international community has mostly reacted with appeals and limited sanctions, which, however, do not adequately address the underlying system of the crew and displacement. Humanitarian aid alone cannot solve the structural causes of humanitarian disaster. The continued blockade and military violence prevent a sustainable improvement in living conditions in Gaza.

Terre des Hommes , in alliance with medico international, is working with local partner organizations in Gaza. These local organizations are providing the population with the best possible assistance. Many local staff members 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. 

The circumstances on site can vary and change at any time at any time. The shelling and displacement have been everyday for people for almost two years. Accordingly, aid measures must be adapted again and again and sometimes limited to a limited extent.  

Our alliance partner Medico International has its own office on site and has been working with local Palestinian and Israeli non -governmental organizations for many years. These have the logistical capacities, the knowledge and the operational range to effectively provide help. The long -term relationships with the local partners enable transparent and trusting cooperation.

Terre des Hommes has already supported a variety of relief efforts, including medical assistance, the construction of a soup kitchen, and sanitation facilities. Together with partner organizations, the expansion of these efforts is being examined. 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 interwoven with regional developments and historical circumstances. We continue to monitor the situation on the ground and are in close contact with medico international and our partner organizations.

Yes, Terre des Hommes projects were also affected by fighting. Israeli airstrikes completely destroyed two tent halls belonging to the Palestinian organization Mayasem Association in Al-Qarara, in the southern Gaza Strip. The tent halls housed a soup kitchen and a school – facilities 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 fighting will continue. Our solidarity goes out to the staff in our projects who risk their lives every day to help people. 

Our demands

As a child rights organization, we are at the side of all children worldwide and are committed to compliance with child rights and humanitarian international law. We therefore demand:

  • Permanent opening of the border crossings in order to bring humanitarian aid safely and effectively to the Gaza Strip.
  • A permanent ceasefire to prevent further suffering and losses, especially for the children.
  • Specific action by the German Federal Government and the International Community to ensure basic care and medical help in the Gaza Strip.
  • Immediate stop German arms exports to Israel, which are associated with risks for further human rights violations and war crimes in the Gaza Strip
  • Long-term investments in the reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure, especially in the area of ​​water and health care.

It is crucial that the international community - and with it the German federal government - asserts its influence and takes concrete measures to stop violence and dying in Gaza and to immediately improve the emergency of the population in the Gaza Strip.

Terre des Hommes , in alliance with medico international, is working with our partners to help people in Gaza.

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Your contact person

Henriette Hänsch

Regional coordinator Middle East/North Africa

Messages: Children in War