A Year and a Half of War: Life in Gaza Today

Living in a place where war has been ongoing for over a year. That's the reality for the people of Gaza. The fighting between Israel and Hamas has caused immense damage, with buildings like schools, hospitals, and homes reduced to rubble. The UN reports that about 90% of Gaza's population, or 1. 9 million people, are displaced. That means they've had to leave their homes, often multiple times. The Israeli military has been issuing evacuation orders, but many Gazans don't receive these warnings. Even when they do, it's often too late. Places like Al-Mawasi, which was once home to just 9, 000 people, now house hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians. Yet, this area, designated as a humanitarian zone, has been targeted by Israeli airstrikes. Food is also a big problem. Before the war, Gaza could produce most of its fresh food. Now, up to 96% of farms and orchards are damaged or destroyed. This means people rely on aid, but getting aid into Gaza is tough. The Rafah crossing with Egypt has been closed since May 2024, and other entry points are limited. The UN says people are "effectively starving" due to the conflict. Hospitals in Gaza are in a dire state. All 36 hospitals have been affected, with none fully functional. The health care system is on the brink of collapse, with shortages of fuel and medical supplies. Even basic care is a challenge.