For decades, the Gaza Strip has faced a humanitarian crisis. Experts at institutions such as the World Health Organization believe that the economic, social and political issues would remain destructive for years to come, even with an immediate end to the Israel–Hamas conflict. Although the war endures, the dire need for medical aid encourages compromise. October 10, 2025, a ceasefire allowed for the release of hostages and an increased amount of resources to enter Gaza. Despite this, the collapse of established healthcare centers made the delivery and implementation of medical help progressively difficult.
“As a history teacher, I think it’s important for us to approach the ongoing conflict in Gaza with empathy and a clear understanding of the historical context behind it. Regardless of politics, the ongoing conflict reminds us of the toll war takes on civilians. It’s a moment for compassion and dialogue, rather than division,” world history teacher Rachel Connel said.
Despite the innumerable challenges the people of the Gaza Strip face, famine and malnutrition persist as two deeply pressing issues. Before the ceasefire, a blockade prevented support from reaching the citizens of Gaza, escalating the severity of food inaccessibility. Medical teams sent from outside parties worked around the clock to provide emergency nutritional support and medical care to those in critical need. Despite an increase in aid and healthcare professionals, there remains a lack of locations to house patients, leading to massive overcrowding and insufficient supplies within hospitals and medical centers. Despite the immense danger and pressure healthcare workers face, they continue to provide vital aid to the people of Gaza.
The ongoing conflict, particularly within the past two years, continues to devastate the infrastructure of Palestine. Therefore, the services provided through these buildings, such as sanitation, clean water and electricity, remain scarce, especially for citizens in residential communities. Recently, the excessive mass-casualty events such as airstrikes, bombings and fires likewise left civilians in crucial need of aid.
Regarding the insufficiency in government-funded medical and economic aid, the political leaders of both Israel and Palestine continue to place military prestige and religious pride above the immediate needs of their citizens. Even after the ceasefire, continual bombings and air strikes rain down in residential areas, killing hundreds of innocent citizens. As a difficult and stark reminder of this, reports from residents and journalists detail the sheer amount of death and destruction caused by the bombings. Recently, air raids occurring July 12 and August 25 killed over 130 civilians: the majority of them children and medical staff hiding in their own homes and shelters.
“When it comes to global conflicts and civilians, those who initiate them get to hide behind armies, billions of dollars, and continuous support despite the harm they cause to supporters. Meanwhile, civilians are helpless to any economic, violent and war caused by global conflicts. For example, with the average American household income, it would take thousands of years to get one billion, meanwhile those in power have multiple billions of dollars and feel less of a shock during economic depressions. Furthermore, I feel we, our generation, do have the ability to change this trend if we all worked together due to our higher use of global communications and more progressive, rather than traditional, views arising among people our age,” magnet sophomore Ryatt Bricolo said.
Currently, the end of this brutal war and violence seems improbable; nonetheless, there exists a crucial need to remain optimistic while not relying on hope. Government officials recognize that the conflict’s fragility continues to draw it on; however, citizens recognize that the existence of constant tension and fighting prevents the possibility of long-term peace. Both Israeli and Palestinian civilians take to the streets to protest the war; however, the repeated breaches of the ceasefire, unresolved hostage situations, and religious tension repeatedly threaten and drag out the seemingly never-ending struggle.
