Father in Gaza surprises kids with $50 Nutella after more than a year without chocolate

The war in the Gaza Strip has led to unimaginable death and destruction for thousands of Palestinians. Making matters worse, the prices of essential items have also skyrocketed because of the conflict and the economic blockade imposed by Israel. After 15 months of war, however, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is underway. Despite all the pain and hardships, one Palestinian father in Gaza did his best to put a smile on the faces of his two young boys. His efforts were highlighted by CNN's Instagram page (@cnn) in this heartfelt video.

According to the report, Abdalkarim Almadhoun was displaced from his home during the Israel-Hamas war that started in October 2023. Almadhoun used to live in Jabalia with his sons, Taim and Ibrahim. However, the war destroyed their home, and he had to move to a humanitarian camp in Deir al-Balah, located in central Gaza.

Like every other kid, four-year-old Taim and ten-year-old Ibrahim loved chocolates, but these sweet treats became a rare commodity as the conflict escalated.

The little boys haven't had a chance to taste chocolate since the war began. Despite living in pitiful conditions, Almadhoun wanted to make his sons happy. The video shared by CNN captured the father and his sons in a tent as the boys stood in anticipation. Their dad came back home with a backpack that had some necessities and food items in it. He also spent a good chunk of money to buy a jar of Nutella for his boys. As soon as he took the jar out of his bag, Taim and Ibrahim jumped with joy as they rushed to hug their father.

Almadhoun had visited the market when he spotted a jar of Nutella. It was an unusual sight for him since they were hard to come by due to Israel's stringent blockade. "It was a surprise actually when I found it in the market. It was $50. Before the war, I used to buy it for $5. I did not care about the price. All I cared about was putting some smiles on my kids' faces," said Almadhoun. The father concluded that his sons enjoyed the jar of Nutella and ate it right away. Despite the steep price he paid for the Nutella jar, he said that the reaction from his sons was 100% worth it. His heartfelt gesture moved people online, with many appreciating him and wanting to help them.

@valerie_mg_healy wrote, "The small things we take for granted. Bless this father, boys and their family." @ross_elcia commented, "As a parent, nothing beats seeing the smile on your children’s faces!" @lonikissin mentioned, "The appreciation, the love is precious. What a beautiful family." @lefthanded.culinary offered, "Dear CNN, may I donate them Nutella? Please let me know the address. I want them happier than before but everything seems not the same anymore. Nutella could help, maybe." @randaelsaheb added, "What a kind-hearted man. He is living in a tent because Israel has bombed his house and his whole city, yet he spends all his money to see the smiles on his kids’ faces."