From ‘the cat lady of Gaza’ to West Bank vets: What frontline animal aid looks like in Palestine

The first emergency clinic for injured animals is due to open in the Palestinian city of Jenin later this month. 

Israeli attacks on the occupied West Bank city have left hundreds of homes destroyed, leaving countless animals without food, shelter or medical care. 

Netherlands-based charity Animal Heroes is facing many literal roadblocks and obstructions to launching a clinic in the conflict zone. But since 7 October 2023, the small team has proven its determination to alleviate animal suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, and support local people looking after animals.

These ‘heroes’ include 36-year-old Maryam Hassan Barq, nicknamed “the cat lady of Gaza” for her steadfast support of 65 cats. And 25-year-old A’aed Mahmoud Abu Nejem, a veterinary doctor running the charity’s pop-up clinic in Gaza, who was injured in an airstrike hours before the ceasefire took effect 19 January. Despite his injuries, he resumed his work last week.

We spoke to Animal Heroes founder Esther Kef, who returned from a visit to the West Bank in February, to hear about the challenges of providing animal aid in the Palestinian territories.

The fate of people and animals in the West Bank is inextricably linked. 

“The situation for animals is horrible because since 7 October, many people are without jobs because they live off tourism and construction,” explains Kef.

Financial desperation is stoking tension in communities, she says, which triggers increased violence against animals. “What we're seeing is like 10, 20 animals being completely kicked into pieces by people just for no reason, just to express violence,” she says.

Animal Heroes supports Bethlehem Shelter, the only registered animal charity in the West Bank, founded by another passionate animal