Voices from a Year of Horror in Gaza and the West Bank: Abdel Hakim's story
Colleagues from DRC Palestinian partners share their stories of life under occupation and the past year of horror.
Posted on 09 Oct 2024
The past year in Gaza has been marked by horror, a devastating extension of the longstanding hardships brought on by years of Israeli occupation, blockade, and severe restrictions.
Life in Gaza has long been subjected to issues due to the blockade.
“There were frequent power cuts, water shortages, and many resources were unavailable due to the blockade. Prices were high for many things, and some items couldn't enter Gaza. But we had adapted to these problems because it wasn’t new; it's been like this for 20 years."
One of the most pressing difficulties was the issue of border crossings.
"When you wanted to travel, you had to pay a very large amount. The only crossing we could possibly use was Rafah. You might get rejected without any reason, and the Erez crossing was almost impossible to enter. Medical travel was particularly hard due to inconsistent and lengthy approval procedures.”
The confinement of living in the small, closed Gaza Strip is unavoidable.
Abdel Hakim's Story (Part 1 of 2)
You find yourself living in a 360 km2 area. It's very strange that you need to go to a slightly wider place to see how the world is outside. I mean, perhaps the biggest place we have is the sea, so we always go to the sea just to see the vastness, really
/ Abdel Hakim, REFORM
Yet, since the start of the Israeli military attacks, Abdel Hakim’s life has been turned upside down.
"The shelling began, and we stayed in the house for about a week and a half. After that, the shelling was directly on us, meaning they shelled our house more than once and shelled all the houses around us.
There were massive explosions, we're talking about fire belts around us, within a 50-metre radius. We experienced something akin to a horror film."
Eventually, the shelling forced Abdel Hakim to leave his home. "After a week and a half, we were forced to leave the house. Due to the intensity of the shelling, I waited until the situation calmed down a bit and moved. I even forgot some belongings at home.
When I went back to get them, the house was shelled, and a wall fell on it. I managed to get myself together, not knowing how God saved me, and fled again."
The journey that followed was marked by constant displacement.
"We first moved to an area called Al-Jalaa, then Khan Younis, then to Rafah. I can't remember how many times I've been displaced because it's been so many." This experience of being constantly displaced, moving constantly from one place to another, was physically and emotionally exhausting.
"I want to talk about the stages of moving from one area to a further area. However, I can't remember the number of times I've been displaced because it was one of the hardest things, to be displaced, to move your belongings from place to place."
I've lost many of my friends and family. From friends, it's more than 25 people, and from my family, maybe around 10 people or more.
/ Abdel Hakim, REFORM
This profound loss is a burden carried by many in Gaza, where families and communities are shattered by the ongoing violence.
The daily work environment in Gaza has also become incredibly difficult. "The work environment in the Gaza Strip currently, or in the situation we are living in, is very difficult. We struggle a lot when we want to move around. When you want to go to work, you have to walk very long distances."
The cost of living has also increased dramatically, making it nearly impossible for many to meet basic needs. "The cost of living in Gaza is extremely high, to an unimaginable degree. Simple things are available, but their prices are very high."
The danger is ever-present. "We have a colleague at work who was targeted and injured, and one of his family members was killed. His father is currently in intensive care. Any of us could face this situation at any time." This constant threat to life and the loss of loved ones has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity that permeates everyday life.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, there is a recognition of the importance of civil society in Gaza.
"I feel that we need to empower civil society more so that it can work on further improving the things we experience during the war."
The role of civil society organisations in providing services and helping people survive the military attacks is crucial, yet the needs far exceed the resources available.
People now struggle with imagining what life could look like after violence ends.
"I've become accustomed to the abnormal things that come with war. We're not thinking about planning for the future. We're just thinking about when the war will end and how to provide for our basic needs."
The destruction of Gaza has left its people in a state of limbo, with little hope for a clear path forward.
Abdel Hakim's Story (Part 2 of 2)
There's nothing left in Gaza, no means of life in Gaza, it's completely finished, everything is exhausted. I fear that after the war ends, no one will pay much attention to Gaza and we will be left behind.
/ Abdel Hakim, REFORM
As the world looks to support in the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, it is essential that Palestinian civil society are consulted and empowered to lead in the recovery of their homes.
