“The past two years have eradicated basic components of Gaza’s normal life.”
Reporting from Al Zuwayda, Gaza —
Two years into the devastating war in Gaza, residents continue to endure a never-ending nightmare. The relentless Israeli military campaign, which began in October 2023, has left the strip in ruins, eradicating nearly every aspect of what once resembled normal life.
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Two Years of Unrelenting Destruction
The war’s second anniversary marks not resilience, but survival. Streets that once echoed with laughter, marketplaces, and the hum of daily life are now buried under rubble.
For Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, “normal” no longer exists. There are no homecomings, no reconstruction, no harvests, and no sense of recovery. What remains is a collective trauma—a constant state of fear, hunger, and loss.
Residents describe life as “a time loop of destruction.” Airstrikes have become the clock by which days are measured, replacing the rhythm of weddings, schools, and prayers. “We no longer count days by dates,” one displaced teacher said. “We count them by bombings.”
Collapse of Civilian Life
The past two years have seen Gaza’s infrastructure crumble. Hospitals have been destroyed or left without medical supplies. Power outages last up to 20 hours a day, and clean water is scarce.
Families queue for hours to receive minimal portions of bread and water, often under the threat of renewed shelling. Children suffer from malnutrition and psychological trauma, while disease spreads in overcrowded shelters.
Human rights observers have described the situation as “an engineered humanitarian catastrophe.” Aid convoys are frequently delayed or turned back, and fuel shortages have crippled both hospitals and humanitarian operations.
Endless Cycle of Despair
Despite global outcry, Gazans find themselves trapped in what many call “a genocide in slow motion.” The destruction of homes and public infrastructure has left more than 1.8 million people displaced within the enclave.
Entire neighborhoods—such as Shuja’iyya, Rafah, and Beit Hanoun—have been erased from maps. For many families, this is the second or third time they have been displaced since the war began.
A Gaza-based journalist summarized the situation: “It’s not just grief anymore—it’s disorientation. People don’t know where they belong. The war has erased everything that made Gaza a home.”
Ongoing Hostilities and Renewed Attacks
On Monday, the Israeli army reported that a projectile launched from northern Gaza fell in an open area inside Israel. Warning sirens were activated, but no casualties were reported.
The brief incident underscores the fragile situation, with sporadic rocket fire continuing despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Diplomatic Efforts: Hope Amid Ruins
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the war continue. The latest round of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt and other international actors, began in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Sources close to the negotiations described the first day as “positive,” with both sides outlining a roadmap for continued discussions. Talks are expected to resume on Tuesday, with cautious optimism for a potential ceasefire deal.
Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan Enters the Conversation.
In parallel, international attention has turned to a proposed “20-point plan” introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at achieving a long-term truce and reconstruction framework for Gaza.
The plan reportedly includes provisions for a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision, the rebuilding of critical infrastructure, and phased political reforms. However, Palestinian representatives have expressed skepticism, calling it “an external solution imposed without addressing root causes.”
The Human Toll: Lives Lost and Futures Stolen
Since the outbreak of the conflict on October 7, 2023, the Gaza Health Ministry reports over 67,000 Palestinians killed, including thousands of women and children. Tens of thousands more are missing or presumed dead under the rubble.
The psychological toll is immeasurable. Thousands of children are now orphans, and many survivors struggle with untreated trauma. “The past two years have wiped out entire generations,” said a UN humanitarian coordinator. “The sense of the future has been stolen.”
Voices from Gaza
Despite the devastation, Gazans continue to display resilience. Community kitchens, makeshift schools, and underground medical units still operate against all odds.
Fatima, a mother of four in Khan Younis, said, “Every morning I wake up and thank God we are still alive. But survival is not living. We want to live with dignity, not just breathe under bombs.”
International Condemnation and Inaction
While global organizations have condemned Israel’s military operations, tangible international intervention remains limited. The United Nations has repeatedly called for Israel to lift its blockade and ensure humanitarian access.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have labeled the ongoing campaign as “collective punishment” and urged world powers to take stronger measures.
However, Israel maintains that it acts in self-defense following the Hamas-led attack in 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to the capture of more than 250 hostages.
Gaza’s Future: Between Rubble and Resistance
As Gaza enters its third year under siege, its people face a grim choice—endure or escape. But with borders sealed and the sea blockaded, there is nowhere to go.
The war has redefined not just Gaza’s geography but its identity. The once-thriving coastal enclave is now a landscape of ruins, yet its people continue to hold onto hope for justice and peace.
“The world may have forgotten us,” said 23-year-old Ahmed from Deir al-Balah, “but we are still here. Gaza breathes through its wounds.”
