Gaza has turned into a war zone nearly a year after the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2023. As of Sunday, local health authorities reported that the death toll has risen to over 41,595 Palestinians, with an additional 96,251 people injured.
The devastation in Gaza is staggering, with around 60% of buildings destroyed and 68% of roads rendered unusable. The population has been forced to flee their homes as basic infrastructure, including water supply and sewage systems, has been severely damaged. The survivors find themselves in dire conditions, grappling with shortages of clean water and food, while diseases are spreading rapidly. Unfortunately, a ceasefire still seems far from reach.
Originally home to 2.4 million residents, Gaza has seen more than 40,000 lives lost and over 90% of its population displaced due to relentless bombardment.
The locals face a dire lack of food, medical supplies, and clean drinking water, while incessant evacuation orders from Israel force them into a perpetual state of flight.
Currently, Gaza remains under a tight Israeli blockade, with most food supplies coming through humanitarian aid convoys, which are grossly inadequate. A report from the United Nations in July indicated that at least 495,000 residents in Gaza are facing severe food shortages, with more people suffering from malnutrition.
The water supply system has been critically damaged, leaving the majority without access to clean drinking water; they are reliant on water trucks for their needs, while the sewage system has also been destroyed. UNICEF reported that many people in Gaza live in unsanitary conditions, leading to the spread of diseases such as diarrhea and skin infections.
According to local authorities, the war has resulted in nearly 170,000 buildings being damaged, accounting for approximately 60% of all structures in Gaza. Out of 510 schools in the region, about 85% (or 477 schools) have been damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without access to education.
Additionally, Gaza’s power plant, water pumping stations, and police departments are non-operational, leading to a near-collapse of the medical system. Currently, out of the 36 hospitals in Gaza, only 16 are still functioning, and they are facing severe shortages of medical supplies.
