As violence escalates in Gaza and surrounding regions, both civilians and emergency responders are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with an increasingly frequent and unpredictable airstrike attacks. Residents report living in constant fear while humanitarian workers admit they no longer have enough support resources available to keep up with destruction caused.
“It is becoming difficult to keep pace with the increased aerial attacks on Gaza,” noted a representative for a local medical relief group operating there. “We are receiving wounded civilians every hour but are running out of space, supplies, and staff; therefore the situation has spiraled out of control.”
Over the past week, Israeli air raids and rocket fire from armed groups in Gaza have increased, leading to civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Although Israel says its attacks target Hamas infrastructure such as command centers or suspected tunnel networks, their impact has been felt across civilian areas as well.
Suburban neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, forcing families to repeatedly flee in search of safety zones. “We thought we were safe in Khan Younis until bombs started falling there too,” lamented Amal Hussein, a mother of four from Khan Younis who now finds no safe havens available for her sheltering them. “Now, we don’t know where we should turn next.”
Rescue workers are struggling under an unprecedented crisis: communication lines have been destroyed and roads damaged, making reaching bombed areas increasingly challenging. Volunteer groups relying on basic tools or even their hands alone to free people trapped beneath debris piles.
Israeli communities near the Gaza border continue to experience rocket fire, forcing residents into shelters for hours on end. The Israeli government insists its campaign of dismantling Hamas military capabilities is necessary in order to end these rocket barrages.
International agencies warn of an ever-intensifying humanitarian catastrophe: food, water, electricity and medical supplies have become scarce while aid convoys may have difficulty reaching those most in need due to continuing air raids.
With no ceasefire in sight and hostilities only becoming more intense, the region remains on edge and human casualties continue to escalate.