GAZA, (PIC)
From a time for sleep and rest to a nightmare filled with fear and anticipation, the nights in the Gaza Strip have turned into a harrowing experience due to the intense shelling by the Israeli occupation army.
At night, the suffering of citizens increases, especially for children and women, who face fear and panic with every explosion triggered by the occupation amidst the pitch-black darkness that obscures any hope of survival or protection.
Brutal bombardment during night hours
The occupation forces deliberately concentrate their shelling and gunfire during the evening and night hours, exacerbating the suffering of the citizens in Gaza. During these hours, people become more vulnerable, unable to escape or even defend themselves due to the lack of lighting and scarce medical resources. Many injured individuals find themselves trapped under rubble, bleeding to death because it is difficult to reach them in such conditions.
The sound disturbing the silence of the night
Citizen Khaled Zaqout says, “Nights used to be a time for rest and sleep, but they have turned into a nightmare that ignites fear in our hearts and increases the terror of our children and women.” Zaqout calls for protection during these difficult moments, but he emphasizes their inability to confront the Israeli war machine that makes no distinctions.
Meanwhile, citizen Salem Sharab points out their ongoing suffering, saying, “The aggression has forced us to stay awake, fearing that a rocket will hit us while we sleep. We have slept for long periods without any real rest, especially since we live in unprotected tents that do not provide the basic necessities of life.” Sharab adds, “Who will protect our children and wives in this situation? We find no hope in life, and we do not know what more fear and hunger the days will bring.”
Psychological and physical pain for children
Children in the Gaza Strip are experiencing psychological and physical suffering due to the continuous bombardment. Citizen Saleh Al-Madhoun says, “My children fear the evening hours and cannot sleep because of the fear of shelling and the cramped tent. They shiver in my arms all night, and when they hear the sound of planes or shelling, they cling to me in terror.” Al-Madhoun adds, “Fear has seeped into their bodies to the extent that they suffer from involuntary urination at night, something that did not happen before the aggression. These children live in a constant state of terror and cannot even go out to relieve themselves for fear of shelling or stray animals attacking.”
Daily life under aggression
The suffering of citizens in Gaza extends beyond the fear of bombardment; it also includes shortages of food and water. Citizens are suffering from a scarcity of food supplies and clean water, which intensifies the harshness of their daily lives. They also wonder how they can go out at night to perform ablution and pray amidst the intense fear of Israeli targeting.
Prohibited acts of worship
With the continued aggression against Gaza, citizens are deprived of practicing their religious rituals normally, especially during Ramadan.
Citizen Abdullah Hijazi confirms that the Israeli aggression has deprived them for the second consecutive year of praying and performing the nightly prayers of Ramadan, fearing bombardment and targeting during gatherings while the Gaza Strip lacks mosques, as many have been destroyed by the occupation.
Statistics on death and injury
Since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023, the death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to nearly 49,000 martyrs, while the number of injured has exceeded 112,000. The occupation forces continue to indiscriminately shell civilians using aircraft, artillery, and naval vessels, further multiplying the humanitarian suffering in the region.
