In the midst of the devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas, a humanitarian crisis continues to unfold for the millions of Palestinians trapped in Gaza. Beyond the displacement of the population and the scarcity of basic necessities like food, clean water, fuel, medicine, and medical supplies, an often-overlooked consequence of the war is the plight of the animals in Gaza's zoos.

According to the United Nations, Israeli airstrikes have targeted every part of the besieged strip, leaving nowhere safe in Gaza. Tragically, the indiscriminate bombardment has also destroyed several zoos, resulting in the death of many animals, while those that survived now face the harsh reality of starvation. A significant 90% of Gaza's population regularly goes an entire day without food, including the animals.

Veterinarian Dr. Amir Khalil from the organization Four Paws, dedicated to rescuing animals from war zones, has been attempting to coordinate a rescue mission to save the remaining animals in Gaza's zoos. Having previously witnessed the dire conditions that animals endured during past conflicts, Dr. Khalil understands the urgency of his mission.

Despite reaching out to all parties involved, including the Israeli Army, the Palestine Authority, and local authorities in Gaza, hopes for the rescue mission are dwindling as the war escalates. Dr. Khalil emphasizes the importance of saving innocent lives, both human and animal, from the horrors of war, stating that saving even one creature would be enough for him.

The situation in Gaza presents unique challenges and dangers, prompting Dr. Khalil to describe the need for meticulous intelligence work before embarking on the rescue mission. Safety and security are of utmost importance, requiring coordination with all stakeholders involved. Dr. Khalil likens the operation to a military operation, reflecting the complexities of navigating a war-torn landscape while dealing with snipers, food shortages, and checkpoint delays.

Another significant obstacle that Dr. Khalil faces is the history and circumstances surrounding the animals in Gaza's zoos. Many of them were smuggled into Gaza through underground tunnels from Egypt during the 16 years of blocked commercial trade. These ill-equipped facilities, due to both the political and economic situation, have kept the animals in poor condition.

While acknowledging the desire for the people in Gaza to have access to wildlife, Dr. Khalil emphasizes that it should not be in the form of a prison but rather under international standards. He believes that if Gaza were to improve its conditions, people from around the world would support the effort to provide a suitable environment for both animals and visitors.

Dr. Khalil sees hope in rescuing the animals, as he recalls a previous mission in 2016 when opposing forces set aside their weapons to allow the animals to pass. He believes that risking lives for such a mission acts as a beacon of hope and can contribute to putting an end to the war.

As the war rages on in Gaza, the urgency to save innocent lives, including those of the trapped animals, remains a pressing concern. Dr. Khalil and Four Paws continue to work tirelessly to coordinate the rescue mission, hoping to provide much-needed relief to the animals caught in the crossfire of this ongoing conflict.