Since the attack by the terrorist organization Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,182 people were killed and 251 hostages were kidnapped, the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate. Israeli countermeasures forced at least 1.9 million people in the Gaza Strip. Many were driven repeatedly, some ten times or more often. After a complete blockade by the Israeli government since the beginning of March 2025, the supply of food, water and medical help has become almost impossible - the humanitarian situation has further deteriorated. Aid supplies are now approved again.
However, the entire population is still affected by acute nutritional uncertainty. The situation of the children is particularly alarming: the United Nations and the World Food Program (WFP) warn that over 70,000 children and over 17,000 mothers urgently need to be treated for acute malnutrition . The destruction of the infrastructure tightens the crisis. Around 70 percent of the water infrastructure, including desalination systems and pipelines, were destroyed. In the most affected areas such as Nord-Gaza and Rafah, less than seven percent of the amounts of water available before the conflict are available.
Terre des Hommes, together with her alliance partner Medico International and the local partner organizations, provides vital help.
Your donation for childrenOur auxiliary measures
The "Al-Sard for Agricultural Development" organization provides mobile sanitary facilities and ensures the maintenance and power supply of fountains in the displaced. Clean drinking water and functioning sanitary facilities are crucial to protect children and families. In addition, we continue to promote the organizations of Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) and the Mayasem Association, which under difficult conditions provide medical help and fight with all strength to survive people.
In the shadow of the Gaza War, violent attacks by Israeli settlers in Palestinian and expropriation of Palestinian living space increased both in the Israeli western Jordanland and in East Jerusalem. Together with our sister organization Terre des Hommes Italy, who have been supporting Palestinian children and adolescents for over 20 years, we promote kindergartens in East Jerusalem to create educational opportunities and to secure the development of children in a safe place.
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 is committed to Medico International together with our partners for people in Gaza.
Support the children and their families with a donation!
Petition "For a just peace"
In the alliance with other organizations, Terre des Hommes is committed to just peace. The escalation of violence must have an end and further suffering must be prevented. Support our petition with your signature:
To the petitionYour contact person
Henriette Hänsch
Regional coordinator Mena