**War Returns to Gaza: Death and Destruction in the Holy Month of Ramadan**
In a sudden and brutal escalation, Israeli warplanes have returned to Gaza, striking major cities and towns, killing over 400 people, mostly women and children. The attacks, which began on Sunday night, have left more than 600 others injured, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of wounded patients.
**A Night of Terror**
The strikes caught many Gazans off guard, including Essam Abu Odeh, who was sleeping with his family when the warplanes descended upon their neighborhood. His daughter warned him about the bombs, and they hid behind walls for fear that the rubble would fall on them. “Around 02:00 [midnight GMT], the BBC’s Gaza service was suddenly woken up by the sounds of heavy shelling,” he recalled.
**A Catastrophic Situation**
Dr. Mohammed Zaqout, Director General of Gaza Strip hospitals, described the situation as catastrophic. Medical staff are exhausted after working non-stop for over a year and a half, with severe shortages of medical supplies, intensive care beds, and medications. “We have witnessed many people die in front of our eyes because there were no medical supplies available or any way to provide them with care,” he said.
**A Year and a Half of Suffering**
Hael, a resident of Jabalia al Balad, told BBC Arabic that the return of warplanes was not surprising. “We weren’t surprised; we expected this at any time,” he said. “But the shock was enormous – 200 martyrs (people killed) in a matter of moments.” He expressed exhaustion and frustration with the ongoing conflict, which has been raging for over a year and a half.
**A Plea for Peace**
Essam Abu Odeh, who lost his neighbors and witnessed the destruction of their neighborhood, begged mediating countries to end the suffering. “We don’t want war to resume,” he said. “We seek peace so that we can live and sleep without fear.”
**Background**
The latest round of violence began after Hamas refused to release any more hostages or accept US suggestions for extending the ceasefire, which had been in place since late January. The Israeli government claimed it targeted Hamas leaders, but local health authorities confirmed that most of those killed were civilians.
As the world watches, the people of Gaza are once again caught in the middle of a conflict that seems to have no end in sight.
