Photographer in Gaza: “Nowhere and No One is Safe Here”
“It is a complete disaster everywhere in Gaza right now. Electricity and internet could be cut off at any time. The loss of life is unfathomable. Entire families have been killed as they shelter in their homes, schools, and hospitals. Nowhere and no one is safe here. Children remain resilient but they are experiencing trauma that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.”
As the Israel-Hamas conflict enters its third week, health facilities in Gaza have been forced to halt all non-emergency cases due to the absence of fuel deliveries. Hospitals continue to be overwhelmed by patients seeking lifesaving care and health workers are left operating without anesthesia and basic supplies. Until fuel and additional medical aid deliveries are permitted to enter Gaza through the Rafah Crossing, remaining aid and emergency medical operations could be brought to a standstill in the coming hours.
Project HOPE has staff in the region to address urgent needs in Gaza and Israel. Our team is collaborating with local authorities, UN agencies, and partner organizations to facilitate the delivery of vital medical supplies and urgently needed items to the most affected health facilities and communities. Project HOPE program officer and photographer, Motaz Al Aaraj, is documenting the current state of the health facilities in Gaza amidst the escalating conflict (view Motaz’s photos here).
Motaz Al Aaraj, Project HOPE Program Officer, said:
“It is a complete disaster everywhere in Gaza right now. Electricity and internet could be cut off at any time. The loss of life is unfathomable. Entire families have been killed as they shelter in their homes, schools, and hospitals. Nowhere and no one is safe here. Children remain resilient but they are experiencing trauma that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Documenting inside health facilities, it is evident that the health system in Gaza has collapsed over the past three weeks. Hospitals cannot cope with the influx of patients as fuel, medicine, and medical supplies are quickly running out. After speaking with a hospital director, it is clear – there are no hospital beds left, intensive care equipment is failing, and hospitals are turning into grave sites. Health workers are working in impossible conditions, including treating their own family members and grieving loved ones. They are bravely risking their lives daily to provide essential care to the injured and those in desperate need.”
Project HOPE is working with partners operating in Gaza to provide medical and relief supplies as hopes for steady humanitarian access through the Rafah Crossing continue. Project HOPE has prepositioned multiple shipments, including six World Health Organization Interagency Emergency Health Kits (IEHKs), Trauma and seven Emergency Surgery Kits (TESKs), as well as hygiene kits.
Project HOPE has spokespeople available to provide information about our response to this worsening humanitarian crisis.
