Gazans try to settle in ruins as ceasefire limps on | DW News

Key Concepts

• Gaza Strip: A Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Hamas: A Palestinian Sunni-Islamist fundamentalist organization that governs the Gaza Strip.
• Ceasefire: An agreement to stop fighting.
• Displaced families: People forced to leave their homes due to conflict or disaster.
• Rubble: Broken pieces of stone, brick, or other material from a building or wall.
• Yellow Zone: An area in Gaza where Israeli military control is present, restricting access for Palestinians.
• Al Auda Hospital: A non-governmental hospital in northern Gaza.
• NGO hospital: A hospital run by a non-governmental organization.
• Detention: The act of being kept in custody by the authorities.
• Intestinal obstruction: A blockage in the small or large intestine.
• Pulmonary edema: Fluid accumulation in the lungs.
• Cyanotic: Having a bluish discoloration of the skin due to a lack of oxygen.
• Intubation: The insertion of a tube into the body, typically to maintain breathing.
• Diagnostic machines: Medical equipment used to identify diseases or conditions (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI).

Summary

The Devastation and Struggle for Survival in Gaza

The transcript details the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip following two years of war. A fragile ceasefire is in place, but the scale of destruction is immense, making daily survival a significant challenge for the remaining population.

1. Scale of Destruction and Displacement:

• Building Damage: The United Nations reports that approximately 81% of all buildings in Gaza are damaged or destroyed. This includes nearly every hospital and most schools.
• Mass Displacement: Around 1.9 million people, representing nearly the entire population of Gaza, were forced to leave their homes during the conflict.
• Reconstruction Challenges: Families attempting to return find their neighborhoods unrecognizable, with streets blocked by an estimated 61 million tons of rubble. Clearing this rubble is projected to take up to 30 years.
• Lack of Basic Necessities: Survivors face severe shortages of water, with residents like Mahmud Aub having to carry water up to the fifth floor of their damaged buildings.

2. Restricted Access and Safety Concerns:

• "Yellow Zone" Restrictions: The presence of Israeli military forces in certain areas, referred to as the "yellow zone," prevents many displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes. Access to these areas is dangerous, with reports of shelling and shooting.
• Unexploded Ordnance: The rubble poses a significant danger due to the potential presence of unexploded shells.

3. Economic Hardship and Uncertainty:

• Loss of Livelihoods: Individuals like Mahmud Aub, who previously worked as a porter, are unable to earn money due to the destruction and lack of infrastructure.
• Fear of Renewed Conflict: The ongoing threat of the war restarting creates immense psychological stress and a sense of hopelessness for the future.

Dr. Ahmed Muana's Account: Detention and Hospital Operations

Dr. Ahmed Muana, director of Al Auda Hospital in northern Gaza, shares his harrowing experience of detention by Israeli forces and the challenges of operating a hospital amidst conflict.

1. Experience of the October 7th Attacks and Counter-Attacks:

• Hospital Preparedness: Dr. Muana recounts hearing about the Hamas attacks and immediately going to Al Auda Hospital to prepare for an emergency situation, given its proximity to the northern border.
• Civilian Casualties: The hospital began receiving hundreds of injured civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, from areas like Jabalia camps and Baha.
• Hospital Specialization: Al Auda Hospital is an NGO hospital specializing in gynecology, pediatrics, and general surgery, strictly treating civilian injuries.

2. Denial of Hamas Presence and Tunnels:

• No Hamas Fighters: Dr. Muana emphatically denies any presence of Hamas fighters or command centers within Al Auda Hospital, stating it is a civilian, non-governmental facility.
• Lack of Knowledge of Tunnels: He asserts that as a doctor, he has no knowledge of any tunnels around the hospital.

3. Detention and Conditions:

• Detention Process: Dr. Muana was detained by Israeli forces in December 2023, initially asked to cooperate with an inspection of the hospital. After an investigation, three staff members were detained, and he was subsequently asked to accompany a delegation to Tel Aviv, which he recognized as a detention.
• Reasons for Detention: Israeli forces questioned him about his refusal to evacuate the hospital (due to the presence of 50 patients and lack of alternative facilities), alleged military presence (which he denied), and knowledge of tunnels.
• Harsh Conditions: He describes the detention conditions as extremely difficult, with a severe lack of medicine, medical care, hygiene, and dignity. Prisoners did not change clothes for seven months, leading to skin diseases.
• Refusal of Medical Care and Needless Deaths: Dr. Muana states that two individuals died while detained due to the refusal of Israeli forces to provide necessary medical intervention. One patient with intestinal obstruction and another with a chest infection, who required simple antibiotics, were neglected, leading to their deaths. Dr. Muana's requests for emergency medical supplies and his expertise as an anesthesiologist to perform life-saving procedures were denied.

4. Release and Return to Work:

• Release: Dr. Muana was released on October 13, 2025, after approximately one year and 28 days of detention.
• Witnessing Continued Devastation: Upon release, he was deeply affected by the continued destruction in Rafah and the plight of displaced people living in camps.
• Commitment to Rebuilding: He reunited with his family and colleagues and pledged to return to Al Auda Hospital to resume his work and provide medical services to the suffering population.
• Healthcare System Collapse: Dr. Muana highlights the severe damage to Gaza's health system, with 28 out of 35 hospitals being damaged. The hospital faces a critical shortage of diagnostic machines like X-ray, CT, and MRI.
• Adaptation and Dedication: Despite these challenges, he and his colleagues are adapting and committed to doing their best for their people.

Conclusion

The transcript paints a grim picture of the post-conflict reality in Gaza, characterized by widespread destruction, humanitarian crisis, and ongoing uncertainty. The personal testimony of Dr. Ahmed Muana underscores the immense suffering, the challenges faced by healthcare providers, and the critical need for medical aid and reconstruction efforts. The fragile ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, but the path to recovery and a semblance of normal life remains arduous and fraught with peril.