Leipzig helps: Children from Gaza receive protection and new opportunities!

Leipzig helps: Children from Gaza receive protection and new opportunities!

Leipzig shows solidarity and plans to take in starving children from the Gaza Strip. Together with four other municipalities, those responsible want to offer these children protection and appropriate care. Mayor Burkhard Jung (SPD) emphasizes the city's humanitarian responsibility, even if the federal government's support is viewed with skepticism. Leipzig has already successfully provided humanitarian aid in the past, which supports the decision to accept these children.

But social demands are growing: Due to skyrocketing costs, membership fees in sports clubs have risen. While there are still differences between the contributions in the city and in the country, Leipzig's offering remains inexpensive compared to commercial providers. This shows the importance of sport as a social inclusion and support during these difficult times.

The situation in Gaza

The need to support Gazan children is also highlighted by recent developments in the Gaza Strip. In the summer of 2024, polio cases occurred there again for the first time in over 25 years. UNICEF responded quickly to the catastrophic supply situation by implementing one of the most dangerous vaccination campaigns. Around 560,000 children under the age of ten received vaccine doses, while more than 1.6 million vaccine doses and cool boxes were delivered to the country. Despite the adverse circumstances, including severe violence and destroyed infrastructure, 94 percent of children were able to be vaccinated, which is a remarkable achievement UNICEF reports.

A ceasefire also allowed for another vaccination campaign in February 2025 to protect children who previously did not have access to vaccinations. This highlights the urgency and ongoing threat to the health of children in Gaza.

Local news and developments

While Leipzig focuses on humanitarian aid, there are also notable local developments. The Audi Center South in Leipzig will be closed at the end of 2025 as the lease expires. Audi and Volkswagen are pooling their resources and planning to build a new joint car dealership on Torgauer Strasse by mid-2026.

In addition, the Leipzig regional court is facing a trial against a suspected serial arsonist in Probstheida, who is said to be responsible for four arsons. The damage to the “Lange Lene” apartment block has not yet been completely repaired, and three days of negotiations are planned until the end of August.

From a cultural perspective, the last edition of the “Summer Stage at the Panometer” concert series will take place on August 23rd. In the future, the Arena am Panometer will be used for internal purposes and will no longer be rented out, which will change the possible uses on site.