The human cost of Gaza’s ongoing conflict is starkly illustrated by the experiences of Abu Ahmed Al-Samouni, who was forced to flee his home in Gaza City as airstrikes reduced it to rubble. Now living in central Gaza, Al-Samouni recounts the immense hardship of displacement, losing not only his house but also his life savings and possessions.

“Our house was destroyed, and we fled to the Zawaida area,” he explains. “We couldn’t take anything with us. We barely managed to buy a tent for 2,400 shekels, despite having no source of income.” Beyond the loss of property, daily survival remains a struggle: clean water is scarce, food aid is limited, and basic necessities are increasingly difficult to obtain. Al-Samouni adds, “People say money can be replaced, but how can I replace it? There’s no income, and how many years will it take?”

The displacement comes amid an intensifying military offensive, which has already displaced over two million civilians. UN warnings highlight escalating attacks and the targeting of shelters previously thought to be safe, with Al-Mawasi struck more than 100 times. Vulnerable populations, including children, women, and the elderly, make up over half of the casualties, while hundreds of centres intended for shelter and humanitarian aid have been destroyed. Al-Samouni’s plea to the international community is urgent: to end silence and take meaningful action to alleviate the suffering of those uprooted and trapped in Gaza.