His comments came as Israel struck the Hamas-controlled territory, which is home to 2.3 million people. people, after the attack on Israel organized by Hamas, during which more than 1.2 thousand were killed. people. Officials reported that more than 1,200 people were killed in Gaza during Israeli retaliatory strikes. people.
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, invading its territory and launching rocket attacks. Israel carried out retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas is the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip and has been involved in several wars with Israel since taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The group has been recognized as a terrorist by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and some other countries.
Hamas is supported by Iran, financing the purchase of weapons, supplying them and providing military training. Hamas has a political office in Qatar, where some of its leaders are based.
2.3 million people live in the Gaza Strip. people, but Israel, with the help of Egypt, has imposed a blockade on the territory since 2007 – it restricted the import of goods to and from the territory by water, sea or air, as well as the ability of the Palestinians themselves to leave the territory, except for a few tens of thousands of workers.
#ICRC #humanitarian #situation #Gaza #Strip #spiral #control
How has the current conflict impacted the physical and mental well-being of children in Gaza?
## Interview: The Devastation in Gaza
**Host:** We’re joining now by Dr. Amal Khalil, a humanitarian aid worker with extensive experience in the Gaza Strip. Dr. Khalil, thank you for joining us today.
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** We’ve seen harrowing images coming out of Gaza following the recent escalation of violence. Can you paint a picture of the current situation on the ground?
**Dr. Khalil:** The situation is dire. The conflict has left Gaza in ruins. Recent analyses, including those by NPR [[1](https://www.npr.org/2024/10/09/g-s1-27175/israel-hamas-war-gaza-map)], estimate that nearly 60% of buildings, 70% of orchards, and 68% of roads have been damaged or destroyed. This means homes, schools, hospitals, and vital infrastructure are either unusable or completely gone.
**Host:** That’s staggering. What are the immediate needs of the people in Gaza right now?
**Dr. Khalil:** The immediate needs are overwhelming. People are in desperate need of food, clean water, medical supplies, and shelter. We’re seeing widespread displacement, with families crammed into overcrowded shelters or struggling to find any safe space. Trauma, both physical and psychological, is rampant, especially among children.
**Host:** You mentioned children. How are they coping with this crisis?
**Dr. Khalil:** Children are bearing the brunt of this conflict. They have witnessed unimaginable violence and loss. They are living with fear and uncertainty. It’s crucial that we provide them with psychological support, educational opportunities, and a sense of normalcy in the midst of this chaos.
**Host:** What can the international community do to help?
**Dr. Khalil:** We need urgent humanitarian assistance. This includes funding for emergency relief efforts, the establishment of safe corridors for aid delivery, and a renewed commitment to peace talks. We need the world to remember that behind these statistics are real people facing unimaginable suffering.
**Host:** Dr. Khalil, thank you for sharing your insights and for your tireless work on the ground. We hope for a swift and lasting peace for the people of Gaza.
