Life goes on in Gaza

3 March 2008

Posted by an Oxfam partner in Gaza.

Today we woke up to find most of the Israeli troops gone. The municipality are even out fixing the roads, many of which have been damaged by the tanks and rockets of the last few days. But the streets of Gaza remain unnervingly empty. People are choosing to stay inside for now. Even if they wanted to travel somewhere, few cars have enough fuel to run. Most shops are closed.

Many are anxious, especially those living in areas near to where Hamas has bases. They fear they might still get caught by an Israeli raid. In the last few days dozens of civilians have died. People are worried that the relative calm of today is only temporary - a consequence of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to the region. They're holding their breath to see what happens next.

Electricity supplies have been intermittent in Gaza for months. In the residential area where I live we only had supplies for about half the day on Saturday. On Sunday morning alone we had five electricity cuts. I'm keeping myself busy doing as much work as I can from home. Oxfam's partners are doing the best they can to continue their food security and livelihoods work despite the difficult circumstances.

Saturday and Sunday were the worst days of the violence that began on Wednesday. Usually this kind of situation only goes on for two or three days, but this time the fighting went on for much longer. It's been more than just a regular incursion. More than 200 Palestinians have been injured since Wednesday. Reports say that over 100 Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers have died.

Here in Gaza we're used to insecurity and this kind of situation. The general attitude is to try and get on with things. But now people are getting desperate. There have been shortages of so many supplies since the Israeli blockade started. With the air strikes and incursions, people are scared and disheartened. It doesn't seem like the situation is going anywhere. Even the moderates who wouldn't usually support Hamas are beginning to lean towards them.

On the street there is a sense that the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah can't speak to Hamas for fear of upsetting the international community. People are questioning why. We need a united front to make a real ceasefire possible. We're waiting to see if the relative calm of today continues after Condoleezza Rice's visit ends.