In Gaza, children forced to put away their kites after Israeli threats

A British charity, Medical Aid for Palestinians, reported that an Israeli military strike on Monday night destroyed a warehouse in Gaza storing essential supplies for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. The warehouse, belonging to a partner organization called Ard El Insan, was located in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza.

The attack, which targeted a nearby building, caused extensive damage to the warehouse and rendered all its contents unsuitable for human consumption. These supplies included nutritional supplements and essential items meant for malnourished children, expectant mothers, and breastfeeding women supported by approximately 60 medical centers.

Each center serves up to 100 women and children daily. The explosion caused significant structural damage, including the collapse of large sections of the building, covering the supplies with rubble. This strike represents a major setback for the organization, which will struggle to reach those in dire need of its services. Sahar Salem, AEI’s project co-ordinator, emphasized that attacks and interruptions are particularly damaging when people are already struggling and in desperate need of support.

Despite a ceasefire in place, the conditions in Gaza remain extremely challenging, with malnutrition rates remaining high. Rowida Sabbah, AEI’s nutrition programme leader in Gaza, noted that rates of malnutrition continue to rise, with increasing concerns for children aged 5 to 10. The situation is further complicated by persisting Israeli military attacks and displacement orders.

Even though Unicef reported concerning levels of maternal and chronic malnutrition in Gaza, with over 12% of children suffering from stunting and more than half of pregnant women experiencing severe anaemia due to acute food insecurity and lack of basic nutrition, AEI remains committed to continuing its efforts to support children and mothers.

The organization is assessing how to utilize supplies from other warehouses to ensure services can continue amidst these ongoing challenges.