RAMALLAH: Amid the ongoing Israel bombardments, the Gaza Strip finds itself gripped by exhaustion and despair as the war enters its 13th week. Displaced Palestinians, exhausted and displaced, continue to bear the brunt of relentless airstrikes, with no end in sight.
On Saturday, Israeli attacks continued across Gaza, with Khan Younis and Rafah becoming focal points of the grinding bombardments. Displaced Gazans seeking refuge in Rafah expressed their exhaustion, echoing the sentiments of many who have endured constant displacement in the harsh winter conditions.
“Enough with this war! We are totally exhausted,” exclaimed Umm Louay Abu Khater, a 49-year-old displaced resident, reflecting the sentiments of countless others facing the relentless bombings day and night.
Continuous artillery shelling was reported overnight in Rafah and Khan Younis, as the Israeli army continued its campaign despite increasing international pressure. The military reported “fierce attacks” and airstrikes across the narrow Palestinian territory, further intensifying the crisis.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, UN Chief Antonio Guterres reiterated the call for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” while the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of the rising threat of infectious diseases among Gazans.
More Than 21,507 Palestinians Killed in Gaza
The conflict, triggered by Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, has resulted in approximately 1,140 deaths in Israel and at least 21,507 Palestinians, mostly women and children, killed in Gaza.
As 2023 comes to a close, Palestinians like Ahmed al-Baz, displaced from Gaza City, reflect on what they describe as “the worst year” of their lives. In a makeshift camp in Rafah, al-Baz expressed the collective desire for an end to the war and the hope for a ceasefire to welcome the new year.
International mediators are actively engaged in efforts to secure a new pause in the Israeli attacks. Reports suggest that Qatari mediators conveyed Hamas’s willingness to resume talks on hostage releases in exchange for a ceasefire. A Hamas delegation was in Cairo on Friday discussing an Egyptian plan proposing renewable ceasefires and a staggered release of hostages.
While Israel has yet to formally comment on the Cairo plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured families of hostages that efforts were underway to bring them back.
