Gaza: A Year of Unending Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The devastation is profound, with about 60% of Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins and 68% of the road network damaged.
As we approach the one-year mark of the conflict between Israel and Hamas that began in October 2023, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. As of Sunday, local health authorities reported that the conflict has resulted in over 41,595 Palestinian deaths and 96,251 injuries.
The devastation is profound, with about 60% of Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins and 68% of the road network damaged. Many residents have been displaced, living in a landscape where basic needs like water supply and sanitation are critically compromised. Survivors are facing severe shortages of food and clean water while battling rising health issues. A ceasefire remains elusive.
Gaza, once home to 2.4 million people, has lost over 40,000 individuals to violence, with 90% of its population now uprooted from their homes.
The inhabitants are deprived of essentials such as food, healthcare, and clean drinking water, compounded by incessant evacuation notices from Israel that compel them to flee.
Gaza is still under a stringent blockade imposed by Israel, and humanitarian aid is limited. According to a July United Nations report, approximately 495,000 residents face critical food shortages, with many experiencing malnutrition.
The region’s water supply systems have been severely impacted, leaving most without safe drinking water, relying on infrequent water truck deliveries, while sewage systems have been destroyed. UNICEF highlighted that the poor living conditions are causing the spread of diseases, including diarrhea and skin infections.
Local officials have documented nearly 170,000 buildings damaged due to the conflict, representing approximately 60% of all structures in Gaza. Of the 510 schools in the area, around 85% (477 schools) have been compromised, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without education.
Additionally, Gaza’s electrical plants, water treatment facilities, and police services are incapacitated, leading to a collapse of the healthcare system. At present, only 16 out of 36 hospitals are operational, facing acute shortages of medical supplies.
