3 years of war on Gaza leave population homeless

In the wake of Israel's three-year genocidal war against Gaza, an overwhelming majority of the territory's population has been reduced to homelessness. Since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, over 10% of Gaza's pre-war population has been killed or injured by Israeli forces. The once-thriving coastal city has transformed into a sprawling tent city, with makeshift shelters sprawling across its beaches, farmlands, and vacant lots.

The healthcare system of Gaza has been devastated, with Israeli attacks claiming the lives of more than 1,700 health workers and destroying numerous facilities. Only 2,253 inpatient beds and a paltry 104 ICU beds remain available across the health services, serving a population of over 2 million people. The availability of emergency room beds and incubators has also plummeted to just 384 and 126, respectively.

Prior to the war, Gaza boasted 36 hospitals. However, as of the latest assessment, only 19 of them remain partially operational. The impact of the conflict extends beyond the healthcare sector, with primary healthcare facilities also severely impacted. Out of the 233 primary health care facilities, only 146 are functional, leaving a significant portion of the population with limited access to essential care.

The war has also crippled the education system in Gaza. Despite a partial resumption of learning for the academic year that commenced on September 19, approximately 200,000 children in Gaza remain without access to structured education. Over 98% of school buildings have been damaged or destroyed, with more than 93% requiring major rehabilitation or full reconstruction. As of April, 165 educational institutions had been completely obliterated, while 392 sustained damage.

The situation is further exacerbated by the Israeli restrictions on "dual-use" items, which have resulted in critically short supplies of essential medicines, including insulin, diagnostic equipment, and fuel. Furthermore, more than 500,000 women of reproductive age lack access to essential services such as antenatal care, postnatal care, family planning, and management of sexually transmitted infections.

The scale of the devastation is evident in the destruction of Gaza's schools. According to UNICEF, 98% of school buildings have sustained damage, with 86% of kindergartens either destroyed, damaged, or inaccessible due to their location behind the Israeli military-controlled "yellow line."