Gaza Conflict: A Year of Destruction and Suffering

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas marks nearly a year since it began in October 2023, Gaza has become synonymous with devastation. Local health officials reported on Sunday that the war has claimed the lives of over 41,595 Palestinians, with injuries reported in 96,251 individuals.

The physical landscape of Gaza is bleak, with 60% of its buildings in ruins and 68% of the roads destroyed. The situation has forced many residents to become refugees in their own land, as essential infrastructure such as water supply and sewage systems has been devastated. Those who remain live in squalor, facing acute shortages of food and clean water while grappling with rampant disease. A ceasefire continues to elude the region.

With an original population of 2.4 million, Gaza has experienced the loss of more than 40,000 lives and has displaced 90% of its residents due to ongoing conflict.

Residents are deprived of food, medical aid, and safe drinking water, constantly urged to evacuate by Israeli authorities, which leaves them in a perpetual state of upheaval.

At present, Gaza is still under Israeli blockade, with limited food being delivered through humanitarian efforts, which are far from sufficient. A United Nations report released in July revealed that at least 495,000 people in Gaza are facing extreme food shortages, with even more suffering from malnutrition.

The region’s water infrastructure has been heavily damaged, and most residents lack access to clean drinking water, relying on water trucks for supply, while the sewage disposal systems have also been compromised. UNICEF has stated that the unsanitary conditions are contributing to the outbreak of diseases like diarrhea and skin ailments.

Gaza’s authorities have recorded that the conflict has led to approximately 170,000 damaged buildings, constituting about 60% of the total structures in the area. Out of the 510 schools operating in Gaza, 85% (approximately 477 schools) have suffered damage, putting hundreds of thousands of students out of school.

Furthermore, Gaza’s electricity generation, water facilities, and law enforcement agencies are inoperative, leaving the healthcare system on the brink of collapse. Currently, only 16 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are still functioning, and they are critically short on medical supplies.