Jamal Al Zinati is in a state of shock and disbelief.
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| Palestinians inspect the rubble of buildings hit by an Israeli air strike, in Gaza City on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Photo: Fatima Shbair/AP Photo via Al Jazeera |
The 33-year-old is a perfume dealer, but today, it’s the stench of death and destruction that’s overpowering — in his neighbourhood and all of the Gaza Strip.
“When we ran out the door, all we thought was Israel probably would just threaten us to leave to push fear in our hearts,” Jamal says. “I did not believe they would air strike the whole area and leave it in black ruins.”
“Now, it’s nothing but rubble,” he whispers, tears welling up in his eyes. “We fled to a nearby school for safety, but we are crammed in here with hundreds of others. There’s no space, and our children cry themselves to sleep every night.”
Already, basic necessities are in short supply. “We barely have enough food to feed our children,” says Zainab Matar, a mother of four. “Clean drinking water is a luxury, and we can’t keep our children warm at night because we lack proper clothing.”
Schools are no longer safe spaces, either. According to UNRWA, at least four schools in Gaza have suffered damage from Israeli bombing. “We thought coming to the school would protect us, but even here, we live in constant fear,” Zainab says.
Aseel, another displaced resident, is scared, too. “We can’t understand why schools, where innocent people are seeking refuge, are being bombed,” she says. Al Jazeera
