Life in Gaza is already incredibly challenging, but a heatwave has added to the existing difficulties of limited access to water, food, and basic necessities required to sustain families.
Maintaining even a semblance of cleanliness for children is particularly hard when families have been displaced repeatedly and are now living in makeshift shelters next to their neighbors.
“We are experiencing great suffering, especially due to the fact that we reside in tents,” says Riham Akel, who was displaced from the north and now lives in Gaza City.”These shelters, made of cloth and plastic, do not protect us from the heat. Moreover, there is no electricity, drinking water, or water for cleaning, not even fans or air conditioners.”
Pics: Reuters
Considering Israel’s anticipated control over Gaza City and the likely displacement of the approximately 800,000 residents, it seems new movements are on the horizon for them.
In Hostages Square, crowds have grown over the past Saturdays, nearly doubling after Hamas released videos of hostages in captivity, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to proceed with security control of the Gaza strip.
People here just wish this would end.
Protesters in Tel Aviv demand the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. Pic: Reuters
Yael said: “I feel like a hostage in my own country, as though nobody listens to me — 80% of the citizens don’t want this anymore.”
“When you talk about the government it’s not only Gaza,” says David Solomon. “They are trying to undermine democracy in Israel, they’re actively trying to destroy the state, not caring about a few more years of survival.
Pic: Reuters
There are also calls for IDF soldiers to refuse to carry out Netanyahu’s plan to take over Gaza City.
Another significant issue is the perceived failure of the International Red Cross to deliver food to the hostages. Food for Palestinians in Gaza is rarely discussed except for a small group on the fringes.
“We believe that the Israeli public is intentionally ignorant,” says Gilad Melzer, holding a sign that reads “Stop Genocide” with a photo of a starving child.
“Some of the population wants to stay ignorant, and the government wants them to remain ignorant about what is happening in Gaza and what is happening in the occupied territories.”
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Gaza: Aid drops ‘killing our children’
Benjamin Netanyahu has made up his mind, however. He will intensify the fight, disregarding international protests, military opposition, and the tens of thousands who gather weekly in Hostages Square, hoping someone in government might listen.
A sense of despair pervades this place—that despite the unity of numbers, it still makes so little difference.
