Gaza orphans gather for Ramadan iftar
Hundreds of children attend charity meal in Khan Younis amid ongoing humanitarian crisis
Hundreds of Palestinian orphans gathered in Khan Younis for a communal iftar organised by local charities, community leaders and international aid groups, with sponsorship from the Jordanian Hashemite Kingdom. Held in a makeshift space between rows of tents, the meal provided dates, a hot main course and sweets as children broke the fast together, followed by a traditional Islamic hymn. Organisers described the event as a modest but meaningful show of solidarity that offered psychosocial support and a sense of normality amid ongoing hardship.
Many attendees have been displaced repeatedly and are living in tents, damaged buildings or crowded shelters after the war devastated Gaza’s infrastructure and livelihoods, leaving thousands dependent on humanitarian assistance. Volunteers and aid groups coordinated food distribution and small activities, and some children received modest gifts or clothing as part of Ramadan outreach efforts. Caregivers and social workers said maintaining routine and communal observance during the holy month helps provide emotional relief for children who have lost parents and homes.
Authorities and aid agencies report severe humanitarian challenges across Gaza, including limited electricity, damaged services and acute food insecurity that disproportionately affect orphans and other vulnerable groups. The iftar was framed as both a religious observance and a targeted welfare intervention: organisers aimed to combine immediate relief—meals and food parcels to take back to guardians or shelters—with psychosocial support through shared ritual and social contact.
Sponsors and local leaders said the gathering would be one of several events planned through Ramadan to reach as many vulnerable children as possible. The initiative underscores the role of community-led and international assistance in cushioning civilians from the worst effects of conflict, even as reconstruction and broader humanitarian access remain constrained. Organisers and volunteers urged continued donations and support to sustain food, shelter and psychosocial programmes for displaced families and children in Gaza.
