The conflict between Israel and Gaza has once again escalated, leaving residents in dire circumstances as they desperately search for food, water, and other basic supplies. In the southern Gaza Strip, a damaged water pipe was repaired by Palestinian workers after an Israeli airstrike severely impacted the main road between Rafah and Khan Younis.
Shahd Safi, a 22-year-old teacher and translator, described the situation as “very dangerous,” as she once again heard Israeli bombardment around her home in Rafah. Despite previous warnings to flee, her family chose to return during a brief truce, only to find that essential items were scarce in the markets. The shortage of food and water has left many struggling, as Israel continues to limit the entry of basic goods into Gaza.
While a small amount of aid has entered through the border with Egypt, the crossings from Israel have remained closed. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported receiving 100 aid trucks from Egypt, containing food, water, and medical supplies, but aid groups have warned that the crisis in Gaza is growing, posing a threat of becoming a public health disaster.
In Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza, long lines of people waiting for cooking gas have been reported, with some resorting to burning doors and window frames to cook. The city has become increasingly crowded as the Israeli army ordered all residents of northern Gaza to move south as it began its offensive.
For many Palestinians like Safi, the Israeli offensive in Gaza is not seen as a war between Israel and Hamas’s military wing but as an attack on residents who have long been oppressed by the Israeli government. The lack of symmetry in power is a stark reality for those living in the region. As the conflict continues to unfold, the plight of the people in Gaza remains a pressing concern.