Article written by Marianne Miltenburg
The war in Gaza is an escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has been ongoing since October 7, 2023.
As violence and destruction continue to disrupt daily life in Gaza, animals have become some of the most vulnerable victims. Donkeys and horses, in particular, are suffering immensely.
Donkeys and horses: Lifelines under extreme pressure
Lifesaving donkeys have replaced cars and trucks and are, for many people, the only means of transportation. They are forced to carry heavy construction materials and transport the wounded and the dead across Gaza. At the same time, they are weakened by a lack of food, dehydration, and unbearable wounds. Thousands of dogs and cats are also dying of hunger.
The work of Dr. Hossam Ahmed
Dr. Hossam Ahmed is responsible for the clinic in Deir al Balah. He has become known for his work under extremely difficult conditions, risking his life to provide critical care for animals. Together with his team, he also distributes free food to dogs and cats.
Palestinians bring all kinds of animals to the clinic, but most are donkeys, horses, and cats. Their problems are largely caused by food shortages. Many animals suffer from digestive issues, malnutrition, and dehydration. Some pets share the already scarce food of their owners. Cats in Gaza eat whatever they can find — including grass, bread, and lentils — to survive.
“There is no grain for horses and donkeys, so they eat from garbage bins,” one of the veterinarians explains. “The water they drink is salty because filtration systems are not functioning, which leads to severe stomach problems.”
Injuries, starvation, and lack of medical supplies
In addition, horses and donkeys often suffer from serious injuries, including wounds caused by shrapnel. They are also injured from pulling extremely heavy carts. Due to the lack of food, they have lost significant weight. Their bones protrude and rub painfully against the carts, causing open wounds. While these can be treated with antibiotics, the real solution is food. Medication is scarcely available in Gaza, but the veterinarians do everything they can to provide at least some level of care.
A devastating decline in animal population
Before the war, there were an estimated 400,000 animals in Gaza. Since October 2023, that number has decreased by more than 80 percent. Thousands of animals have already died from malnutrition and dehydration, and without urgent aid, many more will follow.
Our veterinary team
Our other two veterinarians are Dr. Omar Qudaih and Dr. Alaa Al Bashiti, a young woman who lives in a tent with her husband and three-year-old son.
Alaa shares:
“My decision to become a veterinarian was never just a career choice. From a young age, I felt a deep connection to animals, especially those who suffer in silence. Over time, that feeling became a responsibility: to relieve pain, protect life, and be a voice for those who cannot speak. Today, in the context of war, this work has taken on an even deeper meaning. It has become a way to preserve compassion and humanity in a place where both are constantly under pressure.
In my country, the number of female veterinarians is steadily growing. Despite the difficult circumstances, many women enter and remain in this field with remarkable resilience. But working here is not only about medicine. We face the same fears, losses, and instability as everyone else. Still, we continue, because the need is great and the responsibility feels deeply personal.
I have witnessed many painful cases, but one remains with me: a donkey injured during a bombardment. The physical wounds were severe, but what struck me most was the fear. The animal was trembling, withdrawn, as if it had lost any sense of safety. In such situations, treatment is not only clinical. It requires patience, gentleness, and the understanding that trauma is not only physical. In times of war, full recovery is rare, but even relieving suffering becomes deeply meaningful.
What we need most in the clinic are basic yet essential supplies: antibiotics, anesthetics, painkillers, sterile surgical materials, and a stable power supply. These are not always available. Sometimes we are forced to improvise in ways that should never happen in medical care. Adequate nutrition for recovering animals is also hard to find. Stability itself has become one of our greatest challenges.
Donkeys have become essential for survival here. They carry water, food, mattresses, and belongings for displaced families, often far beyond their physical limits. They are overworked, exhausted, and frequently injured.
Many have not survived. Some were killed directly by violence, while many others died slowly from hunger, dehydration, and extreme exhaustion. I have seen donkeys with severe harness wounds, too weak to stand, yet still being pushed forward because people themselves are struggling to survive. It is a shared fate — humans and animals trapped in the same cycle.
Animals like donkeys are not just animals here — they are lifelines.
I am the mother of a three-year-old child, and I try to protect and comfort him while we live in a tent. The life we once knew is gone — our home has been destroyed, my husband has lost his income, and with it our sense of stability and safety.
What hurts the most is not only what we have lost, but also the feeling that I cannot use what I have worked so hard to achieve. I cannot even start a small project to rebuild our lives. Every day feels like standing still, while I carry the heavy responsibility for my child’s future.
Despite everything, I hold on to hope. I continue to believe that one opportunity, one chance of support, can change everything — for me and my family.”
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