Israeli Strike Destroys Gaza Warehouse Storing Critical Supplies for Children and Mothers

An Israeli military strike has destroyed a crucial warehouse in central Gaza that stored nutritional supplies intended for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, according to the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). The strike, which occurred on Monday night, targeted a nearby building in Deir Al Balah and severely damaged all the aid boxes inside.

The facility was operated by one of MAP's local partners, Ard El Insan (AEI). Team members at AEI confirmed on Tuesday that the resulting explosion compromised their entire stock, rendering the nutritional supplements completely unsuitable for human consumption.

The destroyed supplies were meant to support malnourished children, expectant mothers, and nursing women who rely on approximately 60 medical centres. These centres collectively provide daily assistance to up to 100 women and children.

“The force of the explosion caused large sections of the building to collapse, including the roof and walls, completely burying supplies beneath the rubble,” MAP stated.

Sahar Salem, project co-ordinator for AEI, described the destruction as a major blow that will undoubtedly hinder the organisation's outreach efforts. “Every attack and interruption happens at a time when people are in desperate need of the services we provide,” Ms Salem noted, emphasizing the urgent ongoing needs despite challenging conditions on the ground.

Rowida Sabbah, MAP’s nutrition programme leader in Gaza, highlighted that malnutrition rates remain critically high, with growing needs among children aged 5 to 10. Despite the loss of resources, the AEI team is actively evaluating how to utilize alternative supplies from other warehouses to maintain vital services.

A recent Unicef report underscored the alarming levels of maternal and chronic malnutrition in the region, revealing that over 12 per cent of children suffer from stunting, while more than half of pregnant women experience severe anaemia due to acute food insecurity. Meanwhile, military attacks and forced displacement orders continue across Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting more than 1,296 fatalities since October 2025.