One year after the start of the Israeli-Hamas war, the Al-Taweel family in Gaza has faced uncertainty and anxiety as they navigate their son Ali’s first year of life amidst daily bombings and destruction. Ali was born as the war began, and his family has been forced to move multiple times, seeking shelter in relatives’ homes and shelters across central and southern Gaza. Living in the Nuseirat refugee camp, they have faced numerous challenges, including limited resources and constant fear for their safety.
The war, which began on October 7 of last year, has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, many of them civilians. Hamas’ attack led to a deadly Israeli military campaign that has left about 42,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. More than 80% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, with many forced to live in crowded tent camps along the shore. A quarter of the population faces starvation due to the blockade imposed by Israel, restricting the delivery of aid.
Ali’s mother, Amal Al-Taweel, expressed the difficulties of raising a child in such a volatile environment. She recounted the challenges of providing basic necessities for Ali, including vaccinations, formula, and diapers, which have become scarce and expensive due to the blockade. The family has also faced economic challenges, with Ali’s father losing his job as a day laborer in a Gaza City restaurant. Constant bombing, displacement, and destruction have made it nearly impossible for Al-Taweel to give Ali the safe and peaceful upbringing she had planned for him.
Aid agencies and groups working in Gaza have criticized Israel for severely restricting aid deliveries during the war, making it difficult to provide essential supplies like food, water, and medicine to those in need. Sondos Alashqar, from the Medical Aid for Palestine group, described the past year as one of the hardest Palestinians have ever experienced, surpassing even the hardships of the 1948 Nakba. Al-Taweel echoed this sentiment, describing the year as full of tension, fear, anxiety, displacement, and destruction, which have made it challenging to raise Ali in a healthy and safe environment.
The Al-Taweel family’s story reflects the broader impact of the Israeli-Hamas war on the people of Gaza, who have endured months of violence, displacement, and deprivation. As the conflict reaches its one-year mark, families like theirs continue to struggle to make ends meet and provide for their children in the face of overwhelming challenges. The international community has been called upon to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and work towards a lasting solution to the conflict to prevent further suffering for innocent civilians like Ali.
