The 1 Year Impact of War on Gaza
Just one year ago, the streets of Gaza were bustling with daily life. Children played, markets thrived, and even with all the difficulties, hope persisted. There was a sense of routine, but the last year has broken it down.
The war started on 7 October 2023 in Gaza, and now homes have been turned into rubble. People have had to move, so Gaza is now a word that means destruction, hopelessness, and survival and life in Gaza was very different from now.
Buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza's Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees on Oct. 11, 2023. Yahya Hassouna/AFP via Getty Images
Life in Gaza One Year Ago
People in Gaza were already having a hard time a year ago because of the long-term ban and the occasional fighting. There was still hope for the families. Even though they were under a lot of stress, schools kept operating, and families ate together and laughed while they dealt with their problems. Even though problems were always there, they had what people needed to survive.
Now Gaza Turned to Debris
After all this time, Gaza is nothing like it used to be. The constant bombs, blockades, and damage over the past year have turned the streets that used to be full of life into a mess. Thousands of people have died, homes have been destroyed, and entire communities have been forced to move.
As of the beginning of 2024, 67% of buildings in northern Gaza and 71% of buildings in Gaza City had been crushed or destroyed. As Israeli military operations moved south in response to actions by Hamas, places like Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah were hit harder by bombings and clearance operations, which caused even more damage.
According to Al Jazeera News, The statistics highlight the terrible human and infrastructure cost of Israel's attack on Gaza during the past year.
- Over 41,615 Palestinians have been killed, including 16,756 children. At least 97,303 people have been injured, with 22,500 suffering injuries.
- Along with that, 114 hospitals and clinics have been rendered inoperative, and over 986 healthcare aid workers have died. However, the story is not over yet.
- There is a humanitarian crisis in which almost 96% of Gaza’s population faces severe food shortages, 75% suffer from disease due to inadequate sanitation, and clean water is inaccessible for 95% of the population.
- Over 150,000 homes and 80% of commercial facilities have been destroyed, with $33 billion in direct damage to Gaza. 75,000 tonnes of explosives have been dropped, leaving behind 42 million tonnes of rubble.
These statistics illustrate the immense destruction in Gaza, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting every aspect of life.
Due to the ongoing situation, helping people in need is more critical than ever. But beyond immediate aid, Gaza needs solutions for the future that rebuild hope and life in Gaza.
Zakat is a Hope
With our Palestine Emergency Appeal, our teams are helping needy people who have been facing hardships in times of crisis since 2014. Zakat is a hope, it is more than just a way to help the needy people of Gaza, Palestine. Your Zakat can be a lifeline for the people going through hard times. Food, medical materials, and temporary shelter are just a few of the things that Zakat can help us with.
Giving Zakat is not just a short-term solution; it helps make lasting changes. Your donation can reconstruct homes, reinforce devastated healthcare systems, and re-establish education for children.
A city in unstable times has turned into a war-torn region in Gaza, which shows how urgent the situation is. There is no better time than now to help the people of Gaza. Every Zakat donation counts and can help families who have lost everything regain their dignity and hope. Together, we can be the spark that brings hope back to a place now known for sadness.
