One year into Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has left vast swathes of Gaza in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine, the people of the besieged enclave expressed their keen aspiration for peace and a return to normal life.
On October 7, 2023, a new round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict began. This latest round of violence has been dragging on for a year, and peace is nowhere in sight.
As of October 7 this year, the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip has resulted in more than 41,000 Palestinians killed, more than 97,000 injured and more than 2 million displaced.
As the conflict continues, women and children bear the brunt of it. Palestinian health authorities said in a statement on September 15 that children accounted for 33.1 percent of all identifiable victims, while women 18.3 percent.
The humanitarian disaster has taken a toll on the people in Gaza, who continue to demand a ceasefire.
"Life has changed, and the destruction here is severe. There is destruction all around us. We have been displaced to more than one place since the war began. We have been humiliated. The war is ongoing, and they are targeting civilians. We have done nothing this year. There is no work for the displaced. We haven't thought about anything except food. We are psychologically exhausted, and we want this war to stop," said Bilal Hassanein, a resident.
Apart from total destruction, the besieged enclave has been facing a critical shortage of food and medical supplies due to Israel's continuous restrictions on the entry of aid.
"We cannot obtain all the food we need. There is no medicine for the hospitals. There is no support for the doctors in the hospitals. When injuries occurred, some kept bleeding, some died and some lived. There is no medicine. Everything has been stopped in the Gaza Strip," Hassanein said.
Only half of Gaza's hospitals are partially operational, while just 43 percent of primary healthcare centers are functional, according to the World Health Organization.
Hisham Abu Aliya, another resident, having witnessed the devastation in Gaza, also pleaded for an end to the war.
"Before the war, the situation was good. We could go anywhere and work and live. But now, after the war, there is total destruction. Nothing remains, neither big nor small, not even a wall or a tree. Everyone has been shattered, not just me and my children. The morale of the whole (Gaza) world has been shattered," he said.
Another resident, Mohamed Ramadan, called on the international community and the world to stand with the Gaza people.
"One year after the war on the Gaza Strip, the war is still ongoing against our people in the Gaza Strip. And, of course, as you can see, there is great destruction. Every day, many martyrs fall. We ask the international community and the whole world to stand with us. Before the war, our lives were good. At least we could stay in our homes. Now, we don't have homes and live in destroyed houses," he said.
There is a long way to go to rebuild Gaza physically, mentally, and culturally after the conflict, according to an official from a United Nations humanitarian agency.
Gaza people aspire for peace, normal life one year after devastating war
Gaza people aspire for peace, normal life one year after devastating war
Gaza people aspire for peace, normal life one year after devastating war
