Gazas New Year Brings Struggle for Survival and Dignity

Displacement and Hunger in Gaza: A Daily Struggle for Survival

In Deir el-Balah and Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Sanaa Issa resides in a tent made of fabric sheets with a white plastic tarp roof. As the new year approaches, Sanaa shares her experiences as a displaced Palestinian, facing war, famine, and loss.

Sanaa, 41 years old and mother of seven, has been solely responsible for raising her children since her husband’s death in an Israeli strike in November 2024. She fled from al-Bureij to Deir el-Balah with her family, where she now struggles to secure basic necessities like flour, food, and water.

In 2025, Sanaa faced significant challenges, including accessing medical care and surviving bombardments. Her biggest concern was obtaining a loaf of bread and kilogram of flour for her family daily. She visited US-backed GHF aid distribution points, which opened at the end of May across Gaza, to secure these essential items.

Sanaa’s visits to the aid points were fraught with danger, as over 2,000 Palestinians were killed in and around GHF sites before the organization ended its mission in late November. Despite this risk, Sanaa continued to visit the sites, often alone, leaving her children behind for relative safety.

The war in Gaza led to severe interruptions in food and humanitarian aid, culminating in a famine declaration by the United Nations in October 2025. During this period, thousands of residents searched for food using dangerous methods, including waiting at GHF sites for extended periods.

Sanaa’s experiences reflect the harsh realities faced by displaced Palestinians in Gaza. Her daily struggle for survival is characterized by basic human needs, such as securing food and water, accessing medical care, and coping with bombardments.

Source: Al Jazeera