Recent images reveal the dimension of destruction in the Gaza Strip. The records of Palestinian photographer Motáz Azaica compare scenes of July 2023, when the streets were moved, with current photos, where buildings and avenues were turned into rubble.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages. In response, Israeli troops launched bombing and began terrestrial operations to rescue hostages and neutralize radical group leaders.
The consequences for the civilian population are severe. To date, 1.9 million people – more than 80% of the population of Gaza – were displaced, according to UN UN Agency for Refugees. The Gaza Ministry of Health has 63,000 dead, including women and children. Israel estimates that 20,000 of the victims were combatants of Hamas.
Although some hostages have been released in ceasefire agreements, about 50 still remain in the region, and approximately 20 are alive.
The humanitarian situation gets worse every day. Since May, when Israel changed the supply distribution system, more than a thousand people died trying to get food. The UN warns of a widespread hunger crisis and inanition deaths.
Israel conditions the end of the conflict to the surrender of Hamas. On the other hand, the group requires improvements in living conditions before resuming negotiations. Meanwhile, the civilian population faces destruction and scarcity of essential resources.
