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After 184 Days of War, Gaza Testimonies: City Reverts to Stone Age

A Palestinian boy walks past the remains of a tower building which was destroyed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza City (Reuters/File photo)
A Palestinian boy walks past the remains of a tower building which was destroyed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza City (Reuters/File photo)
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After 184 Days of War, Gaza Testimonies: City Reverts to Stone Age

A Palestinian boy walks past the remains of a tower building which was destroyed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza City (Reuters/File photo)
A Palestinian boy walks past the remains of a tower building which was destroyed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza City (Reuters/File photo)

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s warnings, issued shortly after Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7 last year, have now turned into reality. Six months after a devastating war, Gaza has been left in ruins.

Israeli forces launched a massive operation six months ago. They bombed homes, government buildings, schools, and even Hamas’ facilities. Then they invaded, taking over large parts of Gaza and leaving destruction in their wake.

War in its seventh month claimed 33,173 lives, mostly women and children, and left over 75,750 injured, with many still missing. The toll on Gazans is immeasurable.

For Ashraf Salem of Beit Lahia, the loss of 8 siblings and 27 family members is a nightmare he can’t shake. Their fleeing from Beit Lahia offered no refuge; they perished in airstrikes on Sheikh Radwan.

Salem mourns the 120 lives lost in an instant, still buried under rubble. The Salem family is one of 200 obliterated by Israeli raids, many erased from records.

Israel’s strikes targeted families, with over 70% of casualties being women and children. Palestinian data reveals 4 children killed by Israel every hour.

These incomplete numbers reflect not just ongoing conflict, but countless Gazans trapped beneath the debris. Mahmoud Basal of Gaza’s Civil Defense laments their diminishing ability to rescue the trapped.

With Gaza destroyed and its people living in large, mobile tents, life has regressed to a basic state without electricity, water, or proper communication.

Basil Abu Nada, a young resident of Safatawi in northern Gaza, walks 3 km daily to get water for his family of 13. He waits in line every morning, knowing the water isn't safe to drink.

“Life today is all about these tough conditions,” Abu Nada told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The struggle isn't just for water. Gazans queue up for essentials like electricity from solar-powered sources, while neighbors help each other charge phones and light up homes at night.

Samir Al-Araawi, from Jabaliya in northern Gaza, described a daily routine of scavenging, queuing for necessities, and facing uncertainty.

“After 184 days, life is just about surviving,” he said.

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Compensation Delays Leave Beirut Southern Suburbs’ Families in Ruined Homes

A man surveys the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs last week. (EPA)
A man surveys the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs last week. (EPA)
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Compensation Delays Leave Beirut Southern Suburbs’ Families in Ruined Homes

A man surveys the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs last week. (EPA)
A man surveys the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs last week. (EPA)

In Beirut’s southern suburbs, amid buildings scarred by war, residents continue to suffer from severe damage to their homes caused by the recent conflict.

In the Mrayjeh and Saint Therese neighborhoods, locals face a harsh reality of ruined houses, stalled compensation, and unfulfilled promises, while reconstruction projects remain frozen amid deep uncertainty.

In Mrayjeh, where the destruction still marks the walls of homes, Ali, a resident, told Asharq Al-Awsat about the near-total damage to his house.

He said: “After my home was almost completely destroyed, we were told there was an urgent reconstruction plan and that compensation would be paid within a few months. But the reality is completely different.”

“All we actually received was four months’ worth of shelter allowance starting in January, totaling no more than $2,000. After that, all aid stopped, and we have not received any financial support to repair the damage,” added Ali.

On the scale of his losses, Ali said: “My home is no longer habitable. It was completely damaged—from the walls to the floors, from water and electricity networks to furniture that was entirely ruined. I barely managed to salvage anything.”

“Yet, I have received no compensation for the losses. Since the damage occurred, I have been covering all costs out of my own pocket. So far, I’ve spent more than $10,000, and I’m still at the beginning of the road. In my estimation, I need at least another $30,000 to restore the house to a livable condition.”

But the biggest shock came in recent weeks, when they were officially informed that restoration work in the building was halted “until further notice.”

Ali explained that the entity responsible for the repairs, appointed by Hezbollah, told them bluntly: “Funding has stopped, so no work can continue. All they managed to do was reinforce a support wall on the ground floor, then they stopped and left as if nothing happened.”

The building is now at risk of total collapse, with many families either displaced or living in inhumane conditions.

Regarding their appeals to the authorities, Ali said: “All our inquiries receive the same response: ‘There is no funding currently, please wait.’”