In the heart of Gaza, specifically Deir al-Balah, chaos reigns. An Israeli airstrike on Monday allegedly not only destroyed buildings and streets but also local bakery Al-Baraka, one of the few still standing on the street. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) commented on CNN's inquiries regarding the bakery on Tuesday, stating, "Contrary to the deliberate attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians - men, women, and children - the IDF adheres to international law and takes comprehensive measures to minimize harm to the civilian population."
Deir al-Balah is a frequent target of Israeli bombings, situated in an area facing increasing attacks. Israel has also urged Palestinians in parts of southern Gaza to leave the land, and digital maps published by Israel have been criticized by residents as either confusing or inaccessible due to the lack of electricity and internet.
At the start of the conflict, Israeli forces encouraged Gazan residents to relocate to the southern Gaza Strip for their safety and promised to target Hamas wherever they were present. However, residents report experiencing unrest at night, with desperate individuals digging in the rubble for food and essential supplies during the day.
Since Israel's operation in Gaza began on October 9, tensions have escalated, and reports of looting and violence in the struggle for survival are emerging. Nearly 2 million Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip, facing restrictions on water, food, and electricity supplies.
As of October, the Health Ministry in Gaza, under Hamas control, reported over 15,899 casualties since Israel's operation in Gaza began. International organizations, including the United Nations, have raised concerns about the potential breakdown of order, as desperate Palestinians plunder food stocks from warehouses out of desperation.
A Deir al-Balah resident spoke to CNN on Monday, saying, "There's chaos." He was among a group of individuals searching for supplies amidst the destruction, with reports of a children's orphanage also being targeted. Another resident, Kamil Al-Raie, who has lived on the street since 2006 and lost his home during the strike, told CNN that hunger had forced desperate measures on the Gazan population.
"Look at these people," he said, gesturing to those digging through the rubble. "It's all because of hunger."
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the entire Gazan population requires food aid. Early in the crisis, the organization operated 23 bakeries. However, as food systems break down, the last bakery the WFP collaborated with has been forced to close due to a lack of fuel or gas.
Ibrahim Dabbour, a resident of Deir al-Balah, said Al-Baraka bakery had eased Palistinian suffering by providing vital bread. "Bakeries should be kept away from military operations," he added.
"Honestly, attacking the bakery should be considered terrorism," Dabo told CNN.
On the same day the Israeli Defense Force announced their extension of ground operations, additional 200 Hamas targets were struck in Gaza. These included a school in Beit Hanoun, described by the IDF as containing "terror infrastructure," including tunnels, weapon and explosives storage, a weapons-laden vehicle, and an anti-tank weapon storage.
The Israeli Navy also targeted several areas overnight, citing a desire to support ground forces. The conflict intensified after a Hamas-initiated attack claimed approximately 1200 lives in Israel and around 240 people kidnapped.
As the United States warned Israel to minimize civilian casualties in the South, Israel remains determined to destroy Hamas, having launched attacks against the militant group after a restart of hostilities on October 7.
Throughout the Gaza Strip, people hear warning calls from Israel urging evacuation, with many expressing concerns that they will face death, whether through airstrikes or hunger.
In the days prior, Israeli forces dropped flyers over Khan Younis, marking the area as a "military zone" and requesting immediate evacuation. Additionally, Israel urged residents to evacuate multiple areas southeast of Khan Younis and head further south. The Israeli-declared "military zone" caused tens of thousands of people to flee the North towards the South.
The World Food Programme has reported nearly 2 million people have been internally displaced in Gaza since October 7, with an estimated 1 million having been forced to leave central Gaza for Southern areas, including Khan Younis and Rafah. "We've been without internet for 50 days," said Sally Essam, a displaced Palistinian woman currently living in Deir al-Balah. "Only God knows what our next destination will be."
References: [1] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - [2] World Bank - [3] Al Mezan Center for Human Rights - [4] World Food Programme - [5] International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) -
