disaster
oPt: From Gaza: “I wished I could put her back in my stomach”: Mothers describe giving birth and fighting for survival as conflict nears 1000 days
By War Child International at ReliefWeb
· July 1, 2026
· 5 min read
. Testimonies, collected by the War Child in Gaza this month, describe conditions that show children born into this war have known nothing but violence, hunger and displacement from their first living moments. The crisis for children and their families in Gaza is far from over. Shatha* was six month
Key takeaway She says she stopped thinking about herself and focused only on the child growing inside her, “I felt fear - was I going to be able to provide her with enough food considering she was still inside of me?
Why this matters
The testimonies of Shatha and Farah highlight the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has created a crisis for children and their families. The fact that medical staff are exhausted and emaciated, and hospitals lack basic necessities like bread, underscores the severity of the crisis. The struggles of these mothers to provide for their newborns, from finding scarce and expensive baby formula to making diapers from cloth strips, demonstrate the extreme measures families are taking to survive. The long-term effects of this conflict on children, including potential genetic damage from exposure to chemicals, are a pressing concern. As the conflict nears 1000 days, the international community must prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly children and pregnant women, and work towards a sustainable solution to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. ECFA-accredited nonprofits and relief organizations play a crucial role in providing aid to affected areas.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Testimonies, collected by the War Child in Gaza this month, describe conditions that show children born into this war have known nothing but violence, hunger and displacement from their first living moments. The crisis for children and their families in Gaza is far from over. Shatha* was six month
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by War Child International at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .