Gaza Residents Endure Severe Hardships Amid Ongoing Conflict

Over recent months, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated significantly, turning the pursuit of basic necessities such as water, food, and safety into daily challenges for residents. Many individuals, despite their efforts, find it difficult to meet their essential needs.

Anas Arafat, a father of three from Gaza City, described life during the conflict as a relentless struggle for survival. "We focus on the basics," he said. Arafat has relocated multiple times within the city due to overcrowding and concerns over military strikes. Currently, he rents an apartment from a friend in the al-Daraj neighborhood.

Unlike many Gazans living in displacement camps, Arafat has access to a functioning bathroom and retains personal belongings from before the conflict. His financial resources allow him to purchase food, water, and power to charge his phone, placing him in a relatively better position than others who rely solely on infrequent aid distributions.

However, even for Arafat, daily life remains arduous. He recounted spending hours each morning searching for water suitable for washing and drinking. "Yesterday morning, I went looking for someone selling water for washing and bathing," he said. "I started around 7 a.m., and only found someone around 9 a.m. After that, I looked for drinking water—two or three jugs. We need water for washing and for laundry every day. Even the water we buy for drinking isn't really safe, but it's all there is."

The conflict has caused extensive damage to Gaza's infrastructure. Satellite imagery and United Nations reports indicate that large parts of the region have been destroyed, including areas in the north, eastern Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Younis. In January, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs announced that 92% of buildings in Gaza had been damaged or destroyed.

Before the conflict, Gaza faced economic challenges, with high unemployment and reliance on foreign aid. The situation has worsened, with many residents now unable to secure basic necessities. Mouin Hilu, a father of ten and grandfather of two, shared his family's struggles: "Every day, each member of the family gets one pita to last 24 hours. If not, they go to sleep hungry. For the past three or four months, we haven't been eating properly. Every night, we go to bed hungry—waiting for morning, hoping maybe tomorrow there will be something."

Water scarcity has intensified since the conflict began. Many wells have been damaged, and the supply of water purchased from Israel has been disrupted. As a result, households lack access to running water for daily needs. Arafat mentioned purchasing water from private vendors at high costs, making showers an infrequent luxury. "If we bathe once a week, that's a success," he said. "Hygiene has deteriorated; soap and shampoo are expensive."

Food shortages are also severe. Hilu noted the high cost of flour and other staples, making it difficult to provide adequate meals for his family. "Flour is another essential," he said. "It's incredibly expensive." Both Arafat and Hilu rely on local markets for food, but prices are volatile, and supplies are limited. Many residents depend on aid distributions, which are infrequent and often require long waits.

Electricity is virtually nonexistent in Gaza. Residents wash clothes by hand and use candles for light at night. The lack of power affects all aspects of daily life, from cooking to communication. Some individuals with solar panels offer to charge phones for a fee, but this is not affordable for everyone.

The job market has collapsed, leaving many without income. Arafat, a former lawyer, has been out of work since the conflict began. Hilu, previously employed by the Palestinian Authority, has not received his salary for the past two months due to budgetary issues. Access to bank funds is also challenging, with many banks closed and private currency brokers charging high fees for withdrawals.

Education has been severely disrupted. Schools, universities, and daycares have been closed since the conflict began. Arafat expressed concern for his children's well-being and education, noting the difficulty in keeping them occupied and safe.

Despite the hardships, families like Arafat's remain hopeful. "My kids say to me: 'We want meat, it's been so long.' My daughter told me, 'You said to grow strong, we need to eat—but we eat nothing but lentils and pasta. I want a banana.' That hurts more than the bombings," Arafat said. "But even if aid comes in, people have no money to buy it. Still, there's hope. As long as there are Palestinians, and as long as Allah exists, there is hope."

The situation in Gaza continues to be dire, with residents facing daily struggles to meet their basic needs amid ongoing conflict and economic collapse.