‘There’s No Milk, How Do We Feed Our Children?’ Asks a Palestinian in Gaza

“Since then, my friend’s family and I have been hiding in a building with less than half a tank of water. With minimal necessary usage, we can survive for two more days. Without electricity, neither can we use the motor to pump water nor the refrigerator are working,” he said. 

After Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant pledged to launch a ground offensive in Gaza following Hamas’s attack – and a call for a complete blockade of the region – the situation has got worse. On Wednesday, 11 October, the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip said that the death toll from Israel’s airstrikes had risen to 950. The ministry said more than 5,000 people were injured – 60 percent of whom were women and children. 

“Once the Gaza Power Plant shuts down, it will be difficult for hospitals to treat the overwhelming number of patients,” Ahmad said. 

Ahmad could charge his phone with the help of domestic batteries, but that, too, is now out of charge. 

“This isn’t the first time I have witnessed such a situation. The only difference this time is that Israel is attacking us to defend themselves from Hamas. In the 2014 Israeli bombings, I lost my mother,” said Ahmad.

When asked about his plans for the future, he said, “We never had one. We have been under siege by Israelis for decades now. This is one of the many destructions I have seen.”