GAZA: In the war-torn Gaza Strip, where 2.4 million Palestinians are trapped under relentless Israeli bombardment, death has become the grim reality, according to Louise Wateridge, a spokeswoman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
“It does feel like people are waiting for death. Death seems to be the only certainty in this situation,” she said, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by those with no escape from the ongoing violence.
For over two weeks, Wateridge has been in Gaza, witnessing firsthand the humanitarian disaster unfolding as the war rages on. “Nowhere in the Gaza Strip is safe, absolutely nowhere is safe,” she emphasized. The situation has reached a critical point, with Israeli forces launching attacks by air, land, and sea, leaving vast swathes of the territory in ruins.
The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with hundreds of thousands displaced multiple times, struggling to survive without basic necessities such as food and clean water. The spread of disease has become a significant concern, exacerbated by the Israeli blockade that has choked off essential supplies. “We are facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to the spread of disease, when it comes to hygiene,” Wateridge noted, underscoring the catastrophic health risks emerging in Gaza.
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, has led to devastating losses. While 1,199 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Israel, Gaza has seen over 40,173 deaths, the majority being women and children, according to the UN. Schools, once considered safe havens, have now become frequent targets of Israeli strikes, further diminishing any semblance of security.
Despite the continuous evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, many Gazans are losing hope, exhausted from moving repeatedly. Wateridge described the harrowing conditions for those who continue to flee: “They feel like they’re being chased around in circles… It’s quite a lot to move in terms of the heat, young children, elderly, disabled.” Moreover, the lack of clear communication from Israeli forces and the absence of reliable internet and electricity have only compounded the chaos.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Gazans cling to the hope of a ceasefire, with international mediators attempting to broker peace in Cairo. However, until such a resolution is achieved, the people of Gaza remain ensnared in a cycle of violence, disease, and despair.
