Unveiling the Harsh Reality: Resilience Amidst Dire Conditions in Northern Gaza

In the midst of a fading mobile phone light, Mahmoud Shalabi reveals the dire situation in northern Gaza due to the lack of medicine, clean water, electricity, and safe passage after enduring almost two weeks of Israeli bombardment.

During an interview with CNN's Erin Burnett, Shalabi explains, "My wife is currently utilizing her phone to illuminate my face while conducting this interview. As for me, I'm relying on the remaining 45 percent charge on my phone to communicate with you."

Having a functional phone is crucial for Shalabi, a local aid worker. He mentioned that despite the battery drain, it is worthwhile if he can showcase the events unfolding in northern Gaza to a global audience. This region, which Israel's military advises civilians to evacuate, still houses many residents who choose to stay regardless.

"With regards to the humanitarian situation right now, its really dire," Shalabi, senior program manager of Medical Aid for Palestinians, stressed.

Aid-carrying trucks wait at the border between Egypt and Palestine, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as captured in this still image from a video taken on October 21, 2023, from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

First trucks delivering aid have arrived in Gaza, however, the besieged enclave is in desperate need of additional assistance. The population of Gaza consists of 2.2 million individuals, with children making up half of this number. They have been enduring continuous Israeli airstrikes since October 7, when Hamas militants broke out of the enclave and committed a series of murders and kidnappings on an unprecedented scale.

The deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust resulted in the deaths of around 1,400 individuals, predominantly civilians. Additionally, Hamas seized over 200 hostages, including women, children, and foreign nationals. Consequently, Israel's response has inflicted severe devastation upon the people of Gaza.

According to the Ministry of Health under Hamas control, over 4,100 individuals, including numerous women and children, have lost their lives. Despite Israel's assertions that it exclusively targets Hamas sites, the casualties continue to rise.

Furthermore, Israel's blockade on the Palestinian enclave has resulted in severe deprivation of essential resources such as electricity, food, water, and fuel. This merciless siege has been condemned by UN human rights experts as exceptionally cruel.

The heavily populated Gaza City in Northern Gaza has been severely affected, and Israeli military has instructed civilians to evacuate south in preparation for an anticipated ground offensive. The objective of this offensive is to dismantle Hamas and the numerous tunnels it controls underneath the enclave. On Friday, a senior aid official cautioned that the scarcity of food and electricity could result in a significant loss of lives. Furthermore, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has deemed the evacuation of 1.1 million individuals in northern Gaza as "impractical."

Shalabi, a father of three, has been confronted with challenging inquiries from his 9-year-old son regarding their future.

"He recently came up to me, tears streaming down his face, and asked, 'Dad, if I were to die, would I end up in heaven or hell?'," Shalabi shared. "I found myself at a loss for words. For a moment, I couldn't respond, but then I reassured him, 'Son, we will all find our way to heaven'."

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Injured Palestinian child describes moment missile landed near him

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Shalabi has chosen to remain in the northern region and persist in the distribution of the limited aid his organization possesses.

"We lack electricity, fuel, and water. Basic items, such as snacks or sweets for the children, fruits, and vegetables, are beyond our reach," he expressed, mentioning that he had waited in line for two hours to secure 10 slices of bread for his family, which comprises his parents as well.

"There is no possibility to obtain the medicines locally due to their complete absence in the market," he said. Additionally, he mentioned that the absence of secure routes and access to warehouse facilities further exacerbates the current situation.

"It is incredibly challenging for us. Despite facing many obstacles, we are among the very few organizations that are still operating within the Gaza strip at this moment," he remarked.

On Saturday, the initial convoy of humanitarian aid arrived in Gaza from Egypt. These trucks accessed Gaza through the Rafah crossing, which is the sole entry point not under Israeli control, as witnessed by CNN's team on the Palestinian side of the border. The crossing swiftly closed after the passage of 20 trucks.

Aid workers say they are a fraction of whats needed, with the World Health Organization saying Gaza requires 100 trucks a day to meet demands.

Hospitals across Gaza

Shalabi expressed that staying in touch with hospitals has proved to be difficult. His statement comes just two days after a tragic explosion at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City claimed the lives of numerous civilians seeking refuge there. The cause of the blast is still a matter of dispute, as Israel presents evidence suggesting that the explosion resulted from the militant group Islamic Jihad's misfire of a rocket. On the other hand, Palestinian officials and numerous Arab leaders have accused Israel of targeting the hospital during its ongoing airstrikes.

The death toll cannot be independently verified, but the Ministry of Health in Gaza said more than 400 had died.

Scenes of chaos grip other hospitals across Gaza.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cautioned on Friday that Gaza's hospitals are nearing collapse due to the closure of 60% of primary healthcare facilities. OCHA also highlighted that patient numbers have surpassed hospital capacity, leading to individuals having to lie in corridors and on the floors.

Mahmoud Al-Aloul, a boy with a head injury, recounted to CNN his survival story after an explosion. He shared that he and his family were playing in the garden when a missile unexpectedly struck them. Mahmoud himself was struck by a tree, while his grandfather, parents, and brother also sustained injuries.

Abdurahman, a 10-year-old boy, remains unaware that the tragic incident which caused his injury also claimed the lives of his mother, father, and three sisters. The sole source of solace for him now is his aunt, who expresses deep concern over the distress he may experience upon awakening and discovering the devastating loss of his parents.