The makeshift tents are situated in the shaded area beneath
the stadium’s seating, with clothing items suspended for drying in the July
sunlight across the dusty and parched soccer field. Underneath the covered
benches previously occupied by players, Um Bashar is bathing a young child in a
plastic tub. As she applies soap to the boy’s hair, he squirms and trembles
while she pours the cool water over his head, gripping the plastic seats for
stability.
The individuals have been forcibly relocated on numerous
occasions, most recently due to the resumption of military operations conducted
by Israel against Hamas within the Shijaiyah district of Gaza City.
“We awoke to find armored vehicles positioned in front of
the entrance, prompting us to evacuate without any personal belongings,
including bedding, clothing, or sustenance.”
She fled with a group of approximately 70 individuals to
Yarmouk Sports Stadium, situated approximately 2 miles (3 kilometers) northwest
of Shijaiyah. Notably, Shijaiyah experienced extensive bombing and significant
depopulation during the early stages of the conflict. Many of the individuals
who sought refuge in the stadium express a profound sense of loss and
uncertainty, as they perceive that they have nothing to return to.
“During our evacuation, our residences were unfortunately
subjected to bombing and burning, resulting in significant damage to our
properties and those of our neighbors.”
A significant number of individuals have chosen to remain in the northern region of Gaza, despite the fact that Israeli military forces have encircled and effectively isolated the area. Nevertheless, there has been a recent improvement in the flow of humanitarian assistance to the region. Earlier this week, the United Nations reported that it is now capable of satisfying the fundamental requirements of the population residing in the northern sector. The Israeli government maintains that it permits the entry of aid into Gaza and asserts that the United Nations is not exerting sufficient effort to facilitate the distribution of such aid.
Nevertheless, local inhabitants express that the destitution
and uncertainty are exacting an increasingly severe impact.
The displaced woman, Um Ahmad, expressed her concerns about
the lack of safety in the area, “Safety is with God”. She stated that fear is
prevalent among both children and adults, and that even walking in the streets
does not feel safe.
Gaza Football Stadium is currently serving as a shelter for
displaced Palestinians.