“We consider ourselves dead,” says teary-eyed elderly Palestinian man in Gaza

An elderly Palestinian man, with tears in his eyes, described the unbearable living conditions in Gaza, where the ongoing Israeli genocide has claimed thousands of innocent lives and turned daily existence into a living nightmare for survivors.

Speaking to journalist Hossam Shabat, the distressed man expressed a profound sense of despair, saying, “We consider ourselves among the dead. We are only alive because death has not claimed us yet.” His voice quivering, he added, “We have started wishing for death, I swear.”

He shared that the Israeli occupation had forced him to displace “50 times from one place to another.” Each time they managed to gather essential supplies to settle in a new area, Israeli forces issued another evacuation order, plunging them back into uncertainty.

“I have five children, and my heart breaks every time I see them. They need food and water, but I don’t know what to do,” he said.

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This elderly man told me today that he wishes for death every second due to our horrific living conditions. Without exaggeration, this sentiment is shared by most people I meet; they say that dying seems better than living like this. pic.twitter.com/QNVdINllnu

— حسام شبات (@HossamShabat) November 14, 2024

Reflecting on the trauma and devastation brought by the relentless Israeli offensive, he remarked, “Those who died have found rest, while we await our turn, not knowing whe we will die or when they will bomb us.. We feel death is near.”

The man expalined that he is currently living in a demolished palce with “no furniture or water.” Overwhelmed by despair, he stated that he senses his end is imminent amid the intensified Israeli attacks.

The Israeli army has continued its deadly offensive against civilians, including children, in Gaza, under the pretext of targeting Hamas fighters. 

The United Nations reported that Israel allowed only one shipment of aid into northern Gaza and subsequently attacked shelters where the aid had been distributed to Palestinians.

The overall Palestinian death toll since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza has reached at least 44,383 with more than 100,833 wounded. Thousands more remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.