Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory: civilians struggle to rebuild their lives

13-12-2012 Photo gallery

Amid the destruction and trauma generated by the recent hostilities between Israel and Gaza, people have started to repair the damage. The ICRC and its partners from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom in Israel) continue their humanitarian work.

- South of Gaza City. Gazans collect metal from a destroyed bridge that used to connect the southern and central areas of the Gaza Strip to Gaza City. They will sell the metal to help support their families. Restrictions of movement, poverty and high unemployment mean that the people of Gaza must be creative in order to survive.
  © ICRC / A. Greco / il-e-02604
- Rishon Letzion, Israel. A rocket fired from Gaza damaged Erez Ozeri’s home. “It will be at least ten months before my family and I can move back in,” he explained. “In the meantime, we’re living in two hotel rooms in a nearby town and we commute daily to school and work.” The ICRC and the Magen David Adom in Israel have conducted joint visits to the affected areas in Israel, to assess the needs of the population.
  © ICRC / M. Elnekave / il-e-02605
- Shifa hospital, Gaza City. Mohammed Abu Zor is extremely worried about his 10-year-old son, who suffered head injuries during the hostilities. It took him a whole hour to find his son buried in the rubble of their damaged home. “I was told he will be transferred to Tunisia for treatment,” he said. “I’m praying that he’ll recover.” The family has been split up and are staying with relatives and friends in different parts of Gaza City.
  © ICRC / A. Greco / il-e-02601
- Barzilai Hospital, Ashkelon, Israel. David Rahamim was a self-employed tractor driver who worked on building sites. His leg had to be amputated after he was hit by a rocket. “I can never go back to my previous work, so I’ll have to figure out what to do,” he said. Quite apart from the physical consequences, the loss of his leg is a severe blow to his family’s financial situation.
  © ICRC / M. Elnekave / il-e-02607
- Gaza City. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) provides psychosocial support to Gazan children affected by the hostilities. “My aim is to help children smile again after all the stress they’ve experienced,” said PRCS volunteer Doa’a Dogmosh. Children are encouraged to draw, to allow them to express their feelings and reduce their fear and anxiety.
  © ICRC / A. Greco / il-e-02602
- Ashdod, Israel. Ami Ivgi is the director of the Magen David Adom (MDA) in Lachish district, Israel. During the hostilities, the MDA station in Ashdod operated 22 ambulances and four mobile intensive care units. “When I’m at work, I worry about leaving my wife and children alone, especially with the rockets,” he said.
  © ICRC / M. Elnekave / il-e-02606
- Zaitoun, Gaza Strip. Hoda Tafesh received essential household items such as mattresses, blankets, a hygiene kit and kitchenware from the ICRC and the PRCS. Her house was damaged when a missile landed on an empty plot next to her house. The tin roof collapsed, killing her 10-month-old granddaughter. “We are thankful for the aid we’ve received, but our happiness will not be complete without our baby girl,” she said.
  © ICRC / A. Greco / il-e-02603

Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory: civilians struggle to rebuild their lives

13-12-2012 Photo gallery

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