As the conflict between Israel and Hamas nears its one-year anniversary since October 2023, Gaza remains engulfed in devastation. Local health authorities reported on Sunday that over 41,595 Palestinians have lost their lives due to the ongoing violence, with 96,251 individuals sustaining injuries.
The destruction is catastrophic, with around 60% of the region’s buildings obliterated and 68% of roadways damaged. Many residents are displaced, navigating a landscape where essential services, including water and sewage, have been critically compromised. The remaining population struggles to find food and clean water while dealing with rampant illness, as the prospect of a ceasefire seems increasingly distant.
Gaza was once home to 2.4 million individuals, but the violence has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced 90% of the population.
Residents face deprivation of food, medical supplies, and clean water, with constant evacuation orders from Israeli forces forcing them into a state of constant movement.
Gaza remains under a strict blockade, with humanitarian aid being inadequate. According to a United Nations report released in July, at least 495,000 residents are experiencing severe food shortages, with a growing number suffering from malnutrition.
The water supply infrastructure is in ruins, leaving the majority without access to safe drinking water, relying on water trucks while sewage systems lie in disrepair. UNICEF has indicated that many residents are living in unsanitary conditions, which has resulted in the spread of diseases such as diarrhea and skin disorders.
Authorities in Gaza report that the war has resulted in approximately 170,000 damaged buildings, making up about 60% of all structures. Out of the 510 schools in the region, around 85% (or 477) have sustained damage, leaving hundreds of thousands of students without an education.
Moreover, Gaza’s power plants, water stations, and police departments are non-functional, pushing the medical system to the brink of collapse. Currently, only 16 of the 36 hospitals in Gaza are operational, and they are facing critical shortages of medical supplies.