The Abu Amr family, originally from Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, has been displaced more than 17 times since the start of Israel’s offensive. They now live in a tent beside piles of garbage in Gaza City’s Rimal district, struggling daily against pollution, illness, and indignity. Sixty-four-year-old Sayada Abu Amr, who suffers from asthma, said she keeps her inhaler under her pillow to survive the stench. Her daughter-in-law Suraiya described the near impossibility of maintaining hygiene amid water shortages and shared toilets, leading to frequent gastric illnesses.

Suraiya recalled that before the war, cleanliness was central to her life, but now she must live surrounded by filth. Her husband Salem said their children suffer from insects, foul odors, and contaminated floodwater that seeps into their tent during storms. The family has no spare clothes or clean water. Over two years of Israeli attacks have killed more than 71,000 Palestinians and destroyed or damaged nearly all structures in Gaza. Palestinians believe the destruction aims to make Gaza uninhabitable.

A second phase of ceasefire talks is underway under U.S. mediation, but reconstruction remains blocked by Israeli authorities, leaving residents fearful that sanitation and water systems will continue to collapse.