Gaza City – Residents of Gaza City are facing sleepless nights as Israeli airstrikes continue to hit this densely-populated enclave, leaving in their wake destruction, fear and uncertainty. Bombardments echo across the night sky while families huddle together inside darkened homes or makeshift shelters waiting to see whether they will make it until morning.
Nights of Fear and Anxiety
Residents describe the nights as unbearable, with explosions rocking buildings and drones hovering overhead. “We don’t sleep. We just sit here holding our children tight praying it ends,” stated 32-year-old Hanan Abu Salem, mother of three. Each strike feels like it will be the last one heard.
Gaza hospitals report an increasing number of casualties following overnight raids, many arriving early morning after arriving by ambulance to hospitals in Gaza City. Already overwhelmed by shortages in fuel and medicine supplies, medical staff must work around-the-clock in order to manage this influx. Dr Mahmoud al-Khalidi at Shifa Hospital expressed that no rest for doctors or patients. “Bombardment continues; suffering never ceases.”
Destruction Struck across City
Israel strikes have destroyed entire apartment blocks and damaged essential infrastructure such as water and power lines. A significant portion of Gaza City remains without electricity, forcing families to resort to candles or makeshift generators as an alternative source. Telecommunications are frequently disrupted, isolating neighborhoods from each other and making it harder for residents to contact relatives or request help when needed.
Local authorities report that thousands have fled their homes, seeking refuge in schools, mosques and temporary shelters – yet these places have also been attacked before leaving no safe havens to go back into.
Israel has defined their stated objectives.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations in Gaza City are intended to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure, accusing the group of concealing command centers, rocket launchers and tunnels within civilian neighborhoods. An IDF spokesperson stated their operations “target terrorist facilities with precision strikes – unfortunately Hamas’ use of human shields makes civilian harm inevitable”.
Israeli officials argue the military campaign is necessary to stop rocket fire into Israel and weaken Hamas, while humanitarian organizations point out it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
International aid agencies warn that Gaza’s crisis is fast deteriorating into catastrophe. According to UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), thousands of families now lack access to clean water supplies and food supplies are diminishing rapidly; each night of bombing only compounding an already dire situation, OCHA noted in their statement.
As psychological trauma spreads across the population, aid workers have noted that children are especially affected. Aid workers report seeing constant crying and night terrors among them. UNICEF field officer Lina Haddad noted: “No child should live in fear.”
As Israeli bombardments escalate, residents of Gaza City face an uncertain future marked by sleepless nights, destroyed homes, and the constant threat of death. Although diplomatic efforts continue towards reaching a ceasefire agreement, on the ground it remains one of exhaustion, fear, and survival.
Gaza’s families face daily test of endurance as war ravages their city; only morning light can offer temporary respite before destruction resumes its vicious cycle.