Israel's new plan to "conquer" the Gaza Strip and drive out the population is terrifying the Palestinians. The hope for peace is withering away.
They have destroyed us, driven us out and killed us, says Enshirah Bahloul from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza to the news agency AP.
We want security and peace in this world. We do not want to be homeless, hungry and thirsty.
"Like a déjà vu"
Even in Israel, anxiety is growing. Relatives of the Israelis still being held by extremist groups in Gaza are watching in horror as the chances of a peace agreement – and thus the chance to be reunited with their dear ones – slip through their hands.
On Monday, hundreds of Israelis protested outside the parliament in Jerusalem against the new plan.
I do not see an expansion of the war as a solution – so far it has led us absolutely nowhere. It feels like a déjà vu from a year ago, said Adi Alexander, whose son Edan was taken to Gaza in the October 7 attack.
Fear for the children
In the Gaza Strip, it has been over two months since Israel last allowed in humanitarian aid. There is a shortage of everything: food, medicine, fuel. Every day, crowds gather outside the few soup kitchens still distributing food – children try to push their way forward in the crowd, throwing out pots and buckets in despair.
What are we to do? There is no food, no flour – nothing, says Sara Yunis, waiting for a hot meal together with her children.
Palestinian Nidal Abu Helal from Rafah works for the charity organization Tikeya. Like most organizations in Gaza, they are almost out of food.
We are not afraid to die in a rocket attack. We are afraid that our children will die of hunger right before our eyes.
