Gaza City, a historic urban center with a rich tapestry of civilization spanning thousands of years, stands on the brink of imminent conflict as tensions escalate ahead of a potential Israeli assault. From a once flourishing cultural and technological epicenter, the cityscape is now a chaotic warzone riddled with devastation, despair, and disorder. Gaza City has been the de facto capital of Hamas since its takeover of the territory in 2007. Yet, this decision has profoundly influenced the city’s socio-political landscape.
After more than two weeks of relentless bombardment, Gaza City lies largely in ruins. Israeli airstrikes have flattened most of its other multistory towers, as pictured above, reducing them to stacks of concrete. The lively, colorful streets that people enjoyed just two years ago now feel insular and grim. Today, they are dystopian, submerged in waste and sewage water covering the streets. Armed thugs now terrorize the night, and families are forced to consider providing their own security. While normalcy still seems out of reach for most residents, the road ahead for Gaza City is unclear.
Historical Significance and Modern Turmoil
Gaza City boasts a deep, multicultural history. Archaeological sites shed further light on its history, including being a major landing point for Palestinians made refugees in 1948 at the founding of Israel. These historic places have chronicled the city’s history through each subsequent coup by different cultures. The present period of crisis, though, stands in stark opposition to its historical importance.
Though small, the city serves as Hamas’ military-industrial complex and strategic command center. They have constructed bigger branch arms and tactical tunnels to facilitate rapid fire and ambush attacks against Israel. The underground smuggling system that developed over the years has provided residents a glimpse of the outside world amid the land, air, and sea siege imposed by neighboring Israel and Egypt.
Bureaucracy so efficient Despite the operational craziness, Hamas functions under a surprisingly complex decentralized organizational structure that makes military solutions less clear-cut. Alex Plitsas notes, “Let’s not forget Hamas is not a static institution or figure.” He adds that while Hamas has an elected government responsible for governance, its military wing functions differently: “They effectively act like an insurgent force for an elected government that is in the middle of a war, and they don’t play by the rules.”
Life Under Siege
Decades of war and subsequent blockade have had a profound impact on the people of Gaza City. The streets tell a different and more ominous story. Markets are jammed with food products—at exorbitant rates, possibly plundered from the limited aid vehicles Israel allows into the strip. This lack of material support increases the harm inflicted on a population fighting day to day to live as their world crumbles around them.
As tens of thousands of Israeli airstrikes have devastated the city, thousands of residents currently do not know where it is safe to rear their children. Abu Mohamed, a local resident, describes the atmosphere: “The sons of bitches have no control; it’s not like old times… but sometimes you find them appearing suddenly; you don’t know where from.” Yet this sentiment captures the fear that underlies everyday life in Gaza City.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), for one, haven’t pushed this far into Gaza City in almost two years. Military actions are escalating. Estimates suggest that the Israeli military would have to bring in an extra 60,000 reserve troops and prolong the service of another 20,000 to take and maintain effective control of the city. The Israeli military is going to be engaged for at least a few months in painstakingly clearing each building and going after all the tunnels,” Plitsas underscores about tough slog ahead.
The Path Forward
As that anticipated assault draws near, the world holds its breath with increasing alarm. The humanitarian crisis within Gaza City raises urgent questions about how to address the needs of its people while navigating complex political dynamics. Families are faced with an impossible choice: stay and endure the violence or flee into further uncertainty.
Given the context of this precarious, always-under-siege environment, it’s important to understand how Hamas operates. Abu Mohamed emphasizes that “they don’t have specific places where they gather.” He explains their unconventional communication and organization strategies that are totally exclusive to outsiders. This complexity creates additional layers to the challenges of any military intervention that would seek to destroy Hamas’ governance structure.
These next few days will determine whether Gaza City survives. As tensions escalate and the rumblings of war grow louder, civilians hope and pray for peace while facing the preeminence of this practice in their new normal. The coming storm can only exacerbate what is already a festering injury in a city that has suffered, almost uniquely, from historical disruption.
