Gaza Welcomes New Year Amid Struggles for Survival and Dignity

Gaza, Deir el-Balah – A Harsh Reality in the Early Days of 2026

Sanaa Issa, a 41-year-old mother of seven, seeks a moment of peace in her tent in Deir el-Balah amidst a devastating humanitarian crisis. Although a ceasefire is in place, living conditions remain unbearable.

"We don’t know whether to blame the war, the cold, or hunger. We go from one crisis to another," Sanaa reflects on the painful year endured by her and other displaced Palestinians. Hopes for reconstruction and prosperity have evaporated, leaving them to fight for survival.

After her husband was killed in an Israeli airstrike, Sanaa faces overwhelming responsibilities in trying to feed her family. "My greatest desire was to provide bread for my children," she recounts, noting that she has had to resort to aid distribution points, where risks are immense.

Over 2,000 Palestinians have been killed around these distribution points, yet Sanaa continues to show up in hopes of bringing home even a few kilos of flour. "Each time I managed to bring something, it felt like a celebration," she says with profound sadness.

The joy of rare successful moments contrasts sharply with the humiliation she feels daily: "We have been humiliated in the deepest ways. All this for a piece of bread!"

A Tale of Loss

Batoul Abu Shawish, aged 20, lost her entire family during an Israeli attack. Her only wish for the new year is to be reunited with her loved ones. "The question that constantly gnaws at me is: where is the ceasefire?" she says with tears in her eyes.

Despite her city being affected by violence, Batoul questions why peaceful families have been targeted, especially during a ceasefire. "It's just a lie," she adds. "My family survived the bombings, but now I am alone, with a heart amputated."

Despite the hardships and pain, both Sanaa and Batoul continue to harbor hope for a better future, even as their dreams seem distant.