Gaza Strip residents are enduring unlivable conditions and relentless threats to their survival under the ongoing Israeli blockade, fleeing areas like Shuja'iya with nothing but their lives as danger surrounds them.
Since Israel resumed large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip on March 18, several so-called evacuation orders have been issued, further shrinking the living space for Gaza residents. Many displaced Gazans have been forced to settle in ruins, confronting severe survival risks amid these precarious conditions.
In April, the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation notice to Shuja'iya neighborhood east of Gaza City. Abdullah Abu Seria, who had lived there, said he fled overnight with his family to the west of Gaza, seeking a safer shelter. Instead, they faced harsh realities that were far more cruel than imagined.
"This is not a shelter at all but a dangerous ruin, completely unsuitable for living," he said.
In addition, he explained that his family chose this location for its relatively spacious environment. However, with infrastructure completely paralyzed, there is no access to water or electricity. Each day, he walks nearly a kilometer to fetch water for his family.
"When we fled from Shuja'iya, we didn't bring anything, we just focused on escaping. Everywhere here is filled with danger, and the ground is rough and uneven. We hope someone could at least come and level the land a bit to make it suitable for living, but no one cares about us," he said.
Displaced child Zain Abu Ajwa shared that every day when he leaves his tent, he is met with nothing but shattered stones and rubble, leaving no space for play or childhood joys.
"Look at these mountain-like ruins. We can't run or play. We can only sit among the sand and rubble," he said.
The survival challenges for Gaza's residents extend beyond unlivable conditions. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defense, highlighted that the tents housing displaced families face ongoing threats from leftover explosives, artillery fire, and other persistent dangers.
"Under the rubble, there may be buried explosives. Unexploded shell fragments or other remnants, it is unknown when they might trigger an explosion and take lives. In addition, these tents are simply unable to withstand bullets or shell fragments. Especially now, the Israeli military carries out indiscriminate shelling and drone attacks every day. They could penetrate the tents at any time, causing casualties. Therefore, the current situation for residents is extremely difficult, with their lives constantly under threat," the spokesperson said.
Israel halted the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza on March 2 after the first phase of a January ceasefire agreement with Hamas expired. The second phase remains stalled due to unresolved disagreements between the parties.
On March 18, Israel resumed military operations in the Gaza Strip. Since then, at least 2,326 Palestinians have been killed and 6,050 injured, according to Gaza-based health authorities on Thursday.
Families in Gaza endure relentless struggles under Israeli blockade, forced evictions
Families in Gaza endure relentless struggles under Israeli blockade, forced evictions
Families in Gaza endure relentless struggles under Israeli blockade, forced evictions
