As 2026 approaches, the people of Gaza face another year burdened by fear and deprivation. Hopes for a ceasefire, once seen as a path to relief, have faded, leaving many without basic necessities or a sense of security.
Gazans express that their simplest dreams for the new year center around restoring fundamental aspects of life: access to healthcare, education, electricity, clean water, and, above all, safety. They long for the removal of rubble and the reconstruction of homes, allowing them to live with dignity. However, these aspirations are constantly threatened by the ongoing conflict and the daily dangers that persist within what remains of their homes.
“We are entering a new year, hoping our children would be in schools and reconstruction would begin,” said one elderly resident. “Instead, the past two years have brought only destruction and devastation.” The threat remains real, he added, with the sounds of collapsing buildings a constant reminder of the instability. Homes have crumbled upon their inhabitants, creating a pervasive sense of insecurity.
Another resident, aged 65, recounted the immense loss and suffering experienced daily. He spoke of a recent incident where six people were killed when a house collapsed. He asserted that what Gazans are enduring is unprecedented, even compared to past wars and disasters. His dream is now simple: to live and to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. However, he remains trapped within Gaza, unable to travel, work, or rebuild, struggling daily even to obtain water.
One individual described shivering from the cold, while his neighbor lives under rubble, facing imminent death. “Where can we go?” he asked, reflecting the desperation felt by many.
The testimonies from Gaza are filled with profound grief. Some have lost daughters and grandchildren, all bright students, as homes built over decades have been reduced to rubble. The wife of a prisoner spoke of a new year without hope, stating that life for her and her children has “stopped.” She emphasized that safety remains elusive in Gaza.
While some wonder what 2026 will bring, many insist they are not waiting for miracles. They simply want the right to live safely on their land, refusing to leave and demanding only the basic necessities to survive and an end to their long displacement. They are not asking for the impossible, just the chance to live in peace.
Despite these hopes, violations continue, further dimming the prospects for a peaceful new year.
