The Collapsed Reality and Survival Struggle in Gaza

• Since October 7, 2023, Gazans have endured extreme trauma, focusing exclusively on survival rather than future planning.
• Official estimates report between 75,000 and 77,000 fatalities, alongside the widespread destruction of critical civilian infrastructure.

Infrastructure Destruction

• Over 201,000 structures have been damaged, with more than 134,000 considered completely destroyed.
• Approximately 328,000 housing units have been damaged, and over half of the enclave's hospitals are no longer functional.
• Educational access has been shattered, with 526 of 564 school buildings requiring major rehabilitation or total reconstruction, and more than 63 university buildings destroyed.

Impact on Daily Life and Education

• Students like Nourhan Alostaz at Al-Aqsa University face the permanent loss of their expected academic experience, forced into online learning without necessary hospital internships or personal interaction.
• Economic livelihoods have collapsed as freelancers, such as Asmaa Mohammad, lost essential internet and power, rendering them unable to connect with clients or earn an income.

Shifting Priorities to Survival

• Three years of conflict have forced residents to abandon personal and professional trajectories to focus on immediate survival needs: food, water, and shelter.
• Residents frame current conditions within the historical context of the Nakba, maintaining their pursuit of freedom and rights despite the profound loss of safety and stability.