Gaza: the human cost of an endless war

22/07/2026

Nearly three years after the war began, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Hunger, forced displacement, the collapse of the healthcare system and the near-total lack of access to education shape the daily lives of more than two million people. Despite these extremely difficult conditions, Caritas teams continue their work alongside families who have lost everything.

A humanitarian crisis that continues to worsen

According to the latest UNRWA figures, the Israeli army has violated the ceasefire announced on 10 October 2025 more than 3,000 times. More than 1,000 casualties have been recorded in Gaza. Children are paying a particularly heavy price: according to UNICEF, more than one child is killed every day on average.

The health situation in the camps is catastrophic.

Hunger and a healthcare system in ruin

Food insecurity is widespread. Famine was declared as early as August 2025, the healthcare system has been completely devastated, and humanitarian aid is only trickling into the Gaza Strip. The lack of safe drinking water is a major concern. With the intense summer heat, the situation is only getting worse. Sanitation, water distribution and wastewater disposal infrastructure has been almost entirely destroyed, resulting in dire hygiene conditions.

In this context, rats and other rodents have proliferated significantly. Caritas medical teams are treating dozens of cases of rat bites, while the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded more than 70,000 infections in the first quarter of this year alone. Despite their best efforts, the teams face constant shortages of medicines, serums, vaccines and diagnostic equipment.

A population forced to flee again and again

The entire population of Gaza has been internally displaced, often multiple times. The relatively safe area that remains accessible, delimited by a “Yellow Line”, continues to shrink and now covers less than 40% of the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of people are therefore being forced to survive in an increasingly confined area.

The future is also at stake

Children and young people growing up in these conditions have virtually no access to education. According to the United Nations, 95% of schools and universities have been destroyed or severely damaged. We are witnessing the systematic destruction of an entire population’s living conditions and future prospects, while the international community remains paralysed by its inability — or refusal — to take political action.

Caritas aid remains essential

Caritas Jerusalem remains a fragile but essential safety net for thousands of families in Gaza. More than a hundred colleagues continue to provide life-saving assistance every day. They too are affected by the war, hunger and forced displacement, yet they remain committed to their work, convinced that a just peace is still possible. No figure can truly convey what it means to lose your home, your safety and your future. Yet this is now the daily reality for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.

Lees meer: Despite bombs and blockades: how Caritas delivers aid in Gaza

Behind the numbers are human lives

Mahmoud is the father of Obaida, an eight-year-old boy born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Before the war, Obaida received specialised care. Today, the family lives in a tent, and that care is no longer available.

We are not asking for compassion. We want to regain our dignity. We want a safe place where Obaida can once again receive the care he needs and have the chance to simply be a child.

Yasmine also lost her home. She gave birth to her youngest daughter in a displacement camp. Every day, she tries to give her children a sense of safety despite the constant uncertainty.

I do not dream of luxury. I simply want a safe place where my children can grow up, with a roof over their heads and a life free from fear and humiliation.

Caritas remains alongside the people of Gaza

As humanitarian needs continue to grow, Caritas Jerusalem continues to support families by providing medical care, psychosocial support and essential assistance. Thanks to this presence, thousands of people continue to receive support, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Would you like to help? With your support, our colleagues in Gaza can continue to assist people who have lost everything.