Renewed Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, after nearly two months of pause as a fragile ceasefire held, have plunged the coastal enclave deeper into a humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel shocked the world with its deadly bombardments across Gaza early Tuesday, which killed more than 400 people, and vowed to intensify the assault if Hamas did not release the remaining Israeli hostages held in the territory.
The airstrikes, and subsequent ground operations, have increased fears of a return to the full-scale war that almost completely destroyed the Strip and displaced the majority of its population.
"All night from 2:00 a.m. there were raids and shelling. We couldn't sleep. Our neighbors were martyred, one of them was killed and the other was injured. In the morning, they told us to leave the place where we were living, even though we were living in the rubble. They told us to leave," said Gaza resident Ayman Abu Rawah.
"We weren't expecting the strike, because there were negotiations taking place, both direct and indirect, but we woke up at 2:00 a.m. to the sound of shelling. As a result, there were approximately 350 dead and wounded," said another resident named Mohammed Al-Yazin, referring to Tuesday's attacks.
Since the latest round of hostilities started in October 2023, people in Gaza have endured a depleted health system, a shortage of medicines, the destruction of infrastructure and food shortages. Some even said they have not received any aid coupons for humanitarian supplies.
"I'm one of those people who, for 17 months now, have been leaving my home for Deir al-Balah, then Madinat al-Zahra, then Khan Yunis, then Rafah, and then returning to Gaza. I haven't received an aid coupon," said a resident named Abdul Wahab Ibrahim.
"We wish we could live like other people. I have my eldest son in university, but his university was destroyed. My daughter is also in university, and her university was also destroyed. I built them a house. Both were bombed. We've become like beggars in the streets, waiting for someone to show us compassion, give us some water, or give us flour. The situation has become dire," Ayman Abu Rawah said.
Renewed Israeli strikes plunge Gaza deeper into humanitarian crisis
Renewed Israeli strikes plunge Gaza deeper into humanitarian crisis
Renewed Israeli strikes plunge Gaza deeper into humanitarian crisis
