Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Israel asserts that its military actions are aimed at dismantling the military and governing capabilities of Hamas, the Islamist group that has governed Gaza since 2007. Israel claims that this group is committed to its destruction and poses a significant threat to its national security. However, the brutality of the war has had a dire impact on the people of Gaza, exacerbating pre-existing issues and creating new ones. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian crisis has become more acute, with essential services and daily life disrupted on an unprecedented scale.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
This visual guide captures the drastic ways life has changed for Gazans amid the turmoil. The war has laid waste to the territory and resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 42,000 Palestinian lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The situation highlights the harsh reality faced by those who call Gaza home, showcasing the relentless nature of the airstrikes and ground invasions that have defined this year's conflict. The physical destruction is mirrored by profound emotional and psychological scars left on the population.
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.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
As hostilities escalated, Israeli forces intensified their bombings of both northern and southern Gaza. The ongoing bombardments prompted civilians to flee in search of safety, primarily moving south of the Wadi Gaza river, as instructed by the Israeli military. However, they soon discovered that even the southern cities were not spared, as airstrikes and military actions continued relentlessly. By the end of November, large areas in both the north and south of the territory had been reduced to ruins, leaving many families to navigate a landscape marked by death and destruction.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
As the war drags on, many Palestinians, like 48-year-old Mohamed Khaleel Al-Zaneen, are grappling with a growing sense of hopelessness. Once deeply tied to his land, Al-Zaneen has seen his world turned upside down, with the destruction of both his homes in Beit Hanoun and the loss of family members in the conflict. The emotional toll is compounded by the physical devastation, leading him to reflect on his desire to rebuild even in the face of overwhelming losses. The notion of survival in such crushing circumstances seems to fade with each passing day.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
With approximately 40 family members killed in the conflict, Al-Zaneen's resolve has been tested. The conflict has generated debris equivalent to 14 times that from all conflicts in the past 16 years, according to a UN analysis conducted using satellite imagery. This staggering amount of debris underscores the exhaustive nature of rebuilding that will be required. Al-Zaneen voices a painful truth—that the years ahead, even with a potential ceasefire, promise to be grim and fraught with uncertainty.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
At nearly 50 years old, Al-Zaneen finds it hard to envision a future in Gaza, especially given the extended timeline projected for rebuilding efforts. His questions reveal not only personal despair but also a more extensive anguish felt throughout the beleaguered territory. The challenge of surviving an extended period in a conflict-ridden area adds to his frustrations as he navigates day-to-day life in a tent reminiscent of homes lost. His tragic insights illuminate the broader plight of Gazans who are dealing with colossal losses and the daunting prospect of starting over.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
On the grim anniversary of the conflict, both sides reflect on the losses incurred since the violence erupted after Hamas's unprecedented attack that claimed 1,200 Israeli lives. The war has left the majority of Gaza's 2.3 million population displaced and has resulted in the deaths of over 41,600 Palestinians. Al-Zaneen's sentiments resonate with many who also feel that their identities and existence have been fundamentally altered by the prolonged fighting. These shared emotions underline the deep sense of despair permeating Gaza.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
As the conflict rages on with little hope for resolution, individuals like Fadaa Abu Saleh express their longing for the simple joys of home life. Even after evacuating nearly a year ago, her desire to return and sit in her home reveals the resilience and yearning that persists amid the chaos. Her struggle captures the essence of the human spirit—the wish to reclaim familiar comforts, reconnect with family, and restore lost sense of normalcy. While the roads ahead remain uncertain, hope remains an essential part of the collective yearning to heal and rebuild.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
On the grim anniversary of the conflict, both sides reflect on the losses incurred since the violence erupted after Hamas's unprecedented attack that claimed 1,200 Israeli lives. The war has left the majority of Gaza's 2.3 million population displaced and has resulted in the deaths of over 41,600 Palestinians. Al-Zaneen's sentiments resonate with many who also feel that their identities and existence have been fundamentally altered by the prolonged fighting. These shared emotions underline the deep sense of despair permeating Gaza.
