Since Israel began airstrikes five days ago in reprisal for a Hamas rocket fire, civilians in the Gaza Strip, a 2.3 million-person enclave, have been living in dread. According to health officials in Gaza, as of Thursday morning, more than 1,000 Palestinians have died, however, they could not specify how many of them were civilians. Since both Israel and Egypt have closed their borders, a sizable portion of the population is on the move but has nowhere to go. The roar would first be audible in the distance before shaking the building. “As for the airstrikes, all we can do for the time being is wait and pray,” according to Gaza Strip resident Aisha Abu Daqqa.
Food Shortage and Blackouts in Gaza
Mazen Mohammad, a 38-year-old resident of Gaza, claimed that his scared family spent the night in close quarters. As explosions rattled the region before escaping in the morning. According to Mohammad, “We felt like we were in a ghost town as if we were the only survivors.” In the long-blockaded Palestinian enclave, where Israel has now imposed a total siege, cutting off water, food, and energy supplies, concern is growing about the deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
The lone power plant in the enclave shut down yesterday due to fuel shortage, according to Gaza’s electrical supplier. Videos that are going viral on social media show locals charging their phones using automobile batteries.
Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza is overburdened by the influx of patients and is quickly running low on supplies, especially oxygen. As per the health ministry. As consumers scramble to stockpile supplies, canned food is rapidly vanishing from shops. The region’s sole abattoir is shut down. There are not enough vegetables that are cultivated close to the border.
Israel severely restricted the lives of those living in Gaza during its campaign against Hamas in 2007. Essentially closing off all opportunities and escape routes. One can only image how life would be for those living in the little strip of land caught in the crossfire of rival powers. Now that Israel has ordered a total siege of Gaza, thereby cutting off their access to food, water, and energy.
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