Gaza in the News
Gaza has been making headlines recently, and the news isn’t good. The death toll is climbing, and hundreds of thousands of people are struggling to find enough food and water. Israel’s airstrikes have killed thousands of civilians, and many more have fled their homes with nowhere to go. Thousands of Palestinians are stuck at the Rafah gate, unable to escape. Life in Gaza has always been tough, but now it’s even worse. Let’s talk about what it’s really like to live in Gaza.
A Brief History of the Gaza Strip
To understand the current situation in Gaza, we need a quick history lesson. After the Israeli War of Independence, Israel fought off five Arab armies and came out victorious. Jordan took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while Egypt took the Gaza Strip. Another war later, Israel gained even more land, including Gaza, which now had 400,000 Palestinians under Israeli rule. Israeli citizens started building settlements in Gaza, leading to rising tensions. This culminated in the First Intifada, a violent uprising against Israeli rule, which also saw the birth of Hamas, an Islamist group.
The Oslo Accords and the Second Intifada
The Oslo Accords were supposed to bring peace, giving Palestinians some autonomy with the creation of the Palestinian National Authority (PA). However, corruption and terrorism plagued the PA, leading to the Second Intifada. This period saw horrific violence, with thousands of deaths on both sides. Israel re-entered Gaza to crack down on terror, and by 2005, Ariel Sharon decided to withdraw all Israeli citizens from Gaza, leaving it under Palestinian control.
The Rise of Hamas
In the 2006 elections, Palestinians, frustrated with Fatah’s corruption, voted for Hamas. Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2007, but its governance has been marked by extreme violence and antisemitism. They have built up Gaza’s infrastructure, but their focus has always been on their militant agenda. The blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt has only worsened the situation, with Hamas using tunnels to smuggle in weapons and supplies.
Life Under Blockade
The blockade has made life in Gaza incredibly difficult. Many Gazans who worked in Israel lost their jobs, and travel out of Gaza became nearly impossible. Necessities like fuel and electricity are in short supply. Hamas has turned water pipes into rockets, further damaging Gaza’s infrastructure. The average Gazan lives on less than $13 a day, with limited access to clean water, electricity, and sanitation.
Economic Corruption and Extravagant Lifestyles
Hamas’ corruption is evident in the extravagant lifestyles of its leaders. While ordinary Gazans suffer, leaders like Ismail Haniyeh live in luxury. The people of Gaza are fed up with this exploitation, but any protests are met with brutal crackdowns. In 2019, young Gazans protested against the rising cost of living and poor conditions, only to be violently suppressed by Hamas forces.
Lack of Basic Human Rights
Living in Gaza means facing severe restrictions on basic freedoms. Reporting transparently, being anti-war, or even pro-peace can get you arrested and tortured. LGBTQ individuals live in constant fear, and women face strict rules on their behavior and dress. The tiny Christian minority in Gaza also faces persecution, with many fleeing the enclave.
The Ongoing Conflict
The recent conflict has only exacerbated the suffering in Gaza. Israel’s airstrikes aim to root out Hamas, but civilians are caught in the crossfire. Hamas prevents people from fleeing, using them as human shields. Despite the misery caused by the blockade and airstrikes, the root of Gaza’s problems lies in its corrupt and violent government.
A Hope for the Future
The people of Gaza deserve better. They want a government that protects their freedoms, builds up their infrastructure, and allows them to live in peace with their neighbors. The long blockades and airstrikes have brought immense suffering, but the real tragedy is the leadership that prioritizes power and violence over the well-being of its people. We hope for a day when we can meet the people of Gaza not as enemies, but as friends.
