A year after the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7

Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Even before the war, life in Gaza was marked by hardship and deprivation. The Israeli-Egyptian blockade had long restricted the movement of people and goods, creating severe economic difficulties. According to the World Bank, nearly two-thirds of Gaza's population was in poverty, with thousands living in United Nations-run refugee camps. Despite these challenges, the region had managed to maintain a semblance of community through hospitals, schools, and shops, alongside places of entertainment, such as Asdaa City, one of the biggest amusement parks in Gaza.