Angelina Jolie meets Palestinian children from Gaza in Egypt

• Jolie hears firsthand accounts of war trauma as INARA highlights its ongoing medical, mental health, and education support for Gazan children.

Humanitarian organization INARA welcomed actor and humanitarian Angelina Jolie during a visit to its programs in Egypt, where she met Palestinian children from the Gaza Strip receiving medical, educational, and psychological support.

Jolie met children undergoing treatment in hospitals, participants in INARA’s education program, and families during home visits. She also toured the organization’s mental health and psychosocial support center, spending time with staff and listening to children describe the physical injuries and psychological trauma they continue to endure.

Many of the children spoke of the loss of parents, siblings, relatives, neighbors, and friends who were killed during the war. Among them was nine-year-old Shadi, whom Jolie met as he waited for surgery. He recounted being pulled from under the rubble and became emotional as he said, “My mother was killed.”

“I am so sorry for all you have been through. You are so brave, and I have so much respect for you,” Jolie told him. “I think you are going to be a great man because you have been through so much.”

Children also shared how medical treatment, mental health sessions, and school classes provided by INARA helped them regain stability and work toward their goals.

Sixteen-year-old Rimas described spending five months in a Gaza hospital as an infection in her injured leg worsened, with doctors considering amputation. INARA’s medical team later managed to save her leg. On the day she met Jolie, her cast was being removed.

“Thank you for coming,” Rimas told Jolie. “It shows us there is humanity left in the world and people who care about us.”

Jolie repeatedly expressed pride in the children and said she was honored to meet them, voicing hope that they would one day live in peace and security. The children spoke of their aspirations to continue their education, return to Gaza, reunite with family members still there, and contribute to rebuilding their homeland.

Since October 2023, INARA has provided medical care, mental health and psychosocial support, education services, housing, and cash assistance to thousands of Palestinian children and their guardians in Egypt.