Gazan Family Uprooted Once Again as War Intensifies, Facing Dire Hardship

GAZA, March 20 (Reuters) – Clutching whatever belongings they could carry, Khader Junaid and his family embarked on yet another journey to safety. Perched on a donkey cart, they weaved through the war-ravaged streets of Gaza, searching for refuge. This was not the first time they had been displaced, and with renewed Israeli airstrikes, it was unlikely to be the last.

Since October 2023, when a Hamas attack on southern Israel triggered an all-out war, Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have faced relentless bombings, destruction, and repeated evacuations. The conflict, which has now entered its sixth month, has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and reduced much of the enclave to rubble.

"We were fine with staying in a tent next to our destroyed home, and now we are forced to go back into the schools," said Junaid, a father of six, as his family prepared for another night of uncertainty.

For countless Gazan families, the cycle of displacement, hunger, and fear has become an unbearable way of life.

Families Struggle for Shelter Amid Escalating Violence

Junaid and his wife, Huda, had briefly returned to their ruined home in the al-Salam district of Jabalia refugee camp just two months ago. They had erected a makeshift tent next to the remains of their house, determined to rebuild their lives despite the devastation around them.

But the resumption of heavy bombardment on Tuesday shattered those hopes. With airstrikes intensifying, the family had no choice but to pack up and flee once more.

"We haven't even had two months of stability, and now we are displaced again," said Huda, frustration and exhaustion evident in her voice.

The family set out for a school-turned-shelter in Jabalia, only to find it overcrowded with other displaced families. Desperate for space, they pitched their tent next to the school's bathrooms, where sewer water overflowed onto the ground.

"I suffered so much to find a place for our tent, and it is next to the school's bathrooms, where the sewers are flooding," Khader said.

The conditions are inhumane—lack of privacy, unsanitary water, and disease risks make survival even harder for families like the Junaids.

A Plea for Peace as Prices Soar and Aid Dwindles

Huda, weary from constant displacement, urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene and bring an end to the war.

"We don’t want war, we don’t want death," she pleaded. "Enough! We are fed up. There are no longer children in Gaza—all of our children are dead, all of our relatives are dead."

As food and medical supplies run dangerously low, Gazans are left to survive on meager aid from charities. Many rely on soup kitchens, as market prices for essentials like sugar and tomatoes have skyrocketed.

With border crossings closed and humanitarian aid deliveries suspended, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of severe shortages in medical supplies. Hospitals, already overwhelmed by a sharp rise in casualties, are struggling to operate.

"Due to the recent suspension of humanitarian aid, stocks of medical supplies have dropped significantly, and on top of this, hospital staff are struggling to manage the sharp increase in casualties," the ICRC stated.

Rising Death Toll and Renewed Conflict

Tuesday’s airstrikes marked one of the deadliest days of the war, with more than 400 Palestinians killed in a single day. Over the past three days, at least 510 people have died, more than half of them women and children, according to Khalil Al-Deqran, spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry.

The war began in October 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. In retaliation, Israel has carried out a relentless military campaign, which has now claimed the lives of over 49,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

Speaking on behalf of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), spokesperson Nadav Shoshani defended the strikes, calling Hamas "a murderous, genocidal terror organization that is hiding behind civilians."

Israel resumed airstrikes after abandoning a ceasefire that had been in place since January. Shoshani stated that civilians were given warnings to evacuate, but for displaced Gazans, there is nowhere left to go.

Trump’s recent remarks have added fuel to the fire, as he proposed that the U.S. should take control of Gaza, resettle its Palestinian population, and transform it into an international beach resort. The statement has drawn outrage from Palestinians and Arab states, further complicating hopes for peace.

The Future: More Uncertainty, More Hardship

As night falls over Gaza, families like the Junaids struggle to find safety, wondering how long they will last before they must flee again.

With bombs still falling, food running scarce, and hospitals overwhelmed, the people of Gaza remain trapped in a nightmare with no end in sight.

The question remains: How many more lives must be lost before peace is restored?