For the voiceless animals of Palestine, being born there seems to be their only crime. Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli forces have unleashed one of the most horrific genocides in history upon Gaza. While the cries of women and children echo around the world, the pain of animals—who cannot speak—goes largely unheard. They have no voice, only helpless, pleading eyes.
Since the war began, thousands have been displaced from Gaza and the West Bank. Many were forced to leave behind their beloved pets in their desperate quest for survival. According to a report by Al Arabiya News, thousands of dogs, cats, horses, and donkeys have been left masterless, wandering the streets. Gaza had three cat shelters, all of which were destroyed by bombings.
One shelter in the city of Zeitoun once housed more than 400 dogs. It now lies abandoned. A volunteer told Al Arabiya News that when the airstrikes began, they opened the shelter gates to allow the animals to flee and survive. One of their colleagues stayed behind with some of the dogs, but when the bombing resumed, he couldn’t save them.
Many Palestinian families have lost most of their members, with only a pet cat or dog remaining by their side. Stray animals in Gaza and the West Bank are suffering even more. They are killed in airstrikes daily, and the injured ones endure immense pain. In a place where even people struggle to receive medical care, treating animals is considered a luxury.
The food crisis in Palestine has reached extreme levels. Alongside humans, animals are also starving. Malnutrition is leading to various diseases among them. Veterinary services have become more critical than ever, but most animal hospitals have been reduced to rubble.
Despite such dire circumstances, some individuals have stepped up with personal initiatives. Risking their lives, they search through debris for surviving animals. Organizations, like Help Animals Gaza, Salam Animal Care, and Animal Friends Shelter Gaza, are doing what they can—offering food and limited medical aid to injured and starving animals.
Just as the cries of Gaza’s children tear at the soul, so do the silent stares of these voiceless creatures. When will the global organizations working for animal rights notice their suffering? Was being born in Palestine truly their only sin?