As internet access briefly returned to parts of northern Gaza last Thursday, Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif reported a devastating scene to the world: Israeli airstrikes had pummeled al-Hawaja neighborhood in Jabaliya, killing or injuring as many as 150 people. This grim account, shared after days of telecommunications blackout, is one of few glimpses into the unfolding tragedy in Gaza as communications, movement, and medical aid remain severely restricted amid Israel’s intensified military campaign.
Four weeks into the latest escalation, the siege on Jabaliya and or Norrn areas, enforced by Israeli ground troops and tanks, has made rescue operations nearly impossible. “No civil defense, no coverage, nothing but death and destruction,” al-Sharif said in a video from a quiet, darkened street, adding that those trapped in rubble remained unaided due to a lack of access for medics and emergency crews.
Strained Communication and Medical Aid Access
Gaza’s medical workers and journalists report worsening communication and movement restrictions, impeding the already-stretched healthcare system’s efforts to save lives and document the conflict’s toll. Ongoing blackouts, worsened by damage to infrastructure, power outages, and fuel shortages, mean that coordination between hospitals, medical teams, and aid groups is sporadic and unreliable.
The last civil defense service crew in Jabaliya ceased operations last week after being attacked by Israeli forces, while its last functioning fire engine was destroyed by shelling. This lack of emergency services has compounded desperation in northern Gaza, particularly in Beit Lahia, where an airstrike on Saturday reportedly killed at least 40 people. Without ambulances, survivors and residents have resorted to carrying wounded on donkey carts, often only to witness them die due to lack of medical care.
“We had a few tools, so we could do some first aid, but we watched all of me take our last breaths,” said Raja, a 28-year-old pharmacist. “That’s what hurts most, feeling so powerless. If re had been ambulances, most of me would be alive now.”
Conditions Worsen Amid Ground and Aerial Offensive
Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports that at least 800 Palestinians have died since the start of the renewed offensive, with local officials stating that 93 more were killed in a strike in Beit Lahia on Tuesday. Approximately 400,000 residents remaining in northern Gaza face critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies as Israel continues its air and ground operations. In Jabaliya, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, food and clean water have run out; many residents are reportedly drinking small amounts of wastewater to survive, risking their health further.
Humanitarian Aid Blocked and Journalists Under Fire
Aid convoys are reportedly unable to reach areas like Jabaliya, where destruction from bombings has blocked roads and shut down access points. In addition to movement restrictions, journalists working in Gaza face heightened dangers. In recent days, five Palestinian journalists were killed in airstrikes, and six others were named by Israel as alleged members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, effectively labeling them potential targets.
To date, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed at least 170 journalists and destroyed 86 media facilities, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the actions, with UK Director Fiona O’Brien stating, “We are appalled by ongoing accusations linking journalists in Gaza to terror groups … re’s been a systematic attempt to shut down media coverage, and Israel publishing documents as proof does not justify the actions.”
Global Reactions and Calls for Protection
the international community has voiced growing concern over the situation, with humanitarian organizations calling for immediate access to deliver aid and provide medical relief. Human rights groups have demanded that all parties respect international laws regarding civilian protection, access to medical aid, and press freedom.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Gaza’s residents face increasingly dire conditions, isolated from aid and the outside world. With limited means to report unfolding devastation, the struggle for survival in northern Gaza remains largely invisible to the global community, reliant on sporadic reports that emerge when connectivity allows.
