Three newborn lion cubs a joyous sight in war-scarred Gaza - in pictures

They were born five days after Israel and Palestinian militants ended a fierce round of cross-border fighting.

Three newborn lion cubs in a cardboard box at Nama zoo in Gaza City. They were born five days after Israel and Palestinian militants ended a fierce round of cross-border fighting. AP

Employees present 3 newly born lion cubs at Nama zoo in Gaza City, on August 12, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP)

Loud noise 'causes stress to wild animals, especially the lions, whose roars get higher, and they keep moving in a circular way inside the cage,' he said. AP

A zoo employee helps a lioness clean her newborn lion cub at Nama zoo in Gaza City. AP

One of the newborn lion cubs at Nama zoo. AP

In the past, a number of animals in small private Gaza zoos have starved to death or have been killed in the long-running conflict, which has included four Israel-Hamas wars and countless smaller skirmishes. AP

A Palestinian worker sprays antibiotics on a newborn lion cub. AP

Visitors have flocked to the small Nama zoo on the outskirts of Gaza City, with children allowed to pet the newborns. Nama is operated by a private charity, putting it in a slightly better position than other zoos that often struggle to provide for their animals. AP

Schools organise daily trips to the zoo and the entry fee is less than $1, helping to cover costs. The zoo also houses a variety of birds, monkeys, deer, foxes, wolves and hyenas. AP

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