Gaza has become a city of death due to attacks
The city that was vibrant even two years ago has now become a ‘city of the dead’. School classrooms were full of students, markets were crowded with shoppers, and seaside cafes were a place to forget the fatigue of a hectic life and find some relief. Today, everything is just a memory: gray and bloody. The history of Gaza City is thousands of years old—this city, the cradle of ancient civilizations, has been built and changed repeatedly. Many of the large number of Palestinians who were displaced when Israel was established in 1948, took refuge in the city. The city has hundreds of ancient historical sites that capture its past. That is why, after taking control of Gaza in 2007, the Palestinian Liberation Organization (Hamas) made Gaza City their direct administrative capital. The long-term conflict, devastating blockade, and Hamas’s dictatorial rule have made life difficult for Palestinians. However, aid from governments in the Middle East, including Qatar, and the UN relief effort have managed to maintain some stability among the people of Gaza. Despite the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt on land, air, and sea, Gaza City has tried to turn around, but that effort has stalled. Yes, life in Gaza has never been easy—half the population was unemployed, and Hamas patrols every street. But anyone who wanted to could relax in a park or sit with a book and a cup of coffee. Today, the city has become a complete ruin. Israel’s month-long air and ground offensive in response to Hamas’s attacks on Israel has reduced Gaza City’s cultural and financial center to a lawless wasteland. Now, as Israel prepares to launch a new “final operation” in the densely populated area, aimed at eliminating Hamas fighters hiding there—Gaza residents are once again facing a fierce battle for their survival. Gaza resident Majdi Abu Hamdi (40), a father of four, said the dust from the explosions was making the air so heavy that it was difficult to breathe inside the house, especially because of the broken windows. He said that even the behavior of the dogs that roam Gaza has changed. “I hear the dogs howling at night. They have become very violent after eating so many bodies. Their barking has changed – it is really scary now.” He added, “Now the dogs have become dangerous to people too. They are attacking people they know. Two days ago, when a cat accidentally got close to them, more than 20 dogs jumped on them and tore them apart.” Majdi said that the animals were not like this before. But this city of the dead has completely changed the animals. I don’t know if the Israeli army will spare these animals either!
Source: Al Jazeera.
