More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s nearly two-year war on Gaza, as airstrikes and artillery continue to devastate neighborhoods across the besieged enclave. With food, shelter, and safety out of reach, many families are trapped between relentless bombardment and the impossible cost of fleeing south.
At least 30 people, including 14 searching for aid, were reported dead in new attacks on Monday. In Gaza City’s al-Sabra neighborhood, three more Palestinians were killed, among them journalist Islam al-Koumi, according to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera.
Reporting from Deir el-Balah, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum described the offensive as part of a broader strategy to “shape the geography and demography of Gaza.” He added, “We can see how Israel is using heavy artillery, fighter jets and drones, in order to destroy what’s left of residential homes there. The scale of destruction is extremely overwhelming.”
Residents say the attacks are constant, leaving little distinction between day and night. Gaza City alone saw nearly 60 killed on Sunday, with hospitals and health centers also under fire. Many displaced families are again forced to move, while others insist they cannot.
“How am I supposed to even get there? How can I go? I need nearly $900 to move – I don’t even have a dollar,” said Bilal Abu Sitta, one of thousands still stranded. Another resident, Noaman Hamad, rejected Israeli promises of aid: “We don’t want Israel to give us anything. We want them to [allow] us back to the homes we fled – we don’t need more than that.”
Amid the suffering, a flicker of hope emerged as Hamas confirmed it accepted a ceasefire proposal from mediators Qatar and Egypt. The draft reportedly includes a 60-day truce, the release of half the Israeli captives in Gaza, and an exchange involving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
But trust remains fragile. A previous truce in January collapsed within weeks, unleashing what Palestinians describe as the most harrowing phase of the war to date. For now, survival remains the only certainty for those left in the ruins of Gaza.
