Israeli destruction turns Northern Gaza into a ‘Ghost Region’

Since early October 2023, the Israeli military's devastating assault on northern Gaza has claimed the lives of 5,000 people, injured 9,050 others, and displaced thousands more. Those who still survive describe the area as a "ghost region." Hospitals, schools, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and countless buildings have been damaged or destroyed in the relentless attacks.

Gaza’s official media on Sunday termed the events as "the most horrific form of ethnic cleansing, destruction, and forced displacement." It reported that the lives of thousands of Gazans have been completely shattered by Israeli aggression.

An Al Jazeera correspondent reporting from central Gaza said northern Gaza now stands as a grim testament to destruction, appearing like a "ghost town" from afar. Some people still refuse to leave despite the devastation, primarily because they have nowhere else to go.

The correspondent further reported that every part of the Gaza Strip has been deliberately targeted, with little regard for civilians taking shelter in homes, schools, or even hospitals. Even refugee shelters and healthcare facilities have not been spared.

The Kamal Adwan Hospital, northern Gaza's most significant health center, was leveled in December due to Israeli strikes. Hospital director Abu Safia was subsequently arrested by Israeli forces, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Israeli politicians and settlers have openly discussed establishing settlements in northern Gaza, leaving Gazans uncertain about when the blockade and attacks might end. On Sunday, Gaza Civil Defense reported that at least 70 children had been killed by the Israeli military over five days.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. According to the White House, Biden is making a last-ditch effort to secure the release of hostages in Gaza before his term ends on January 20. Efforts for a ceasefire agreement are also underway.

Israel has promised to withdraw troops from Gaza but will maintain a presence in a “buffer zone” near Tel Aviv, allowing them to launch attacks at will. Both Israeli leaders and Gaza residents doubt the war will end anytime soon, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels.

The blockade has left Gazans without access to food, medicine, and essential services. Children, women, and the elderly are succumbing to starvation, cold, and lack of medical care. Thousands have sought refuge in makeshift camps under the open sky, but the psychological toll of the ongoing conflict is just as grave.

UNICEF has stated that nearly 1.1 million children in Gaza now require psychological treatment due to the trauma of constant bombing, displacement, and other war-related hardships.

According to the UN, over 19,000 children have been orphaned since the war began. At least 203 journalists have lost their lives due to Israeli strikes. Gaza’s health minister reported on Sunday that, since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed 46,565 Palestinians and injured 109,660 others. Just on Saturday, 28 people were killed.

Source: Al Jazeera